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School Board Gives Kudos To Thurman Award Winners
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A total of 47 Oakdale High School FFA students were acknowledged by Superintendent Marc Malone, as well as the OJUSD School Board on Monday night for their individual achievements as well as securing the coveted 2019 Thurman Award at the Stanislaus County Fair for the fourth consecutive year.

It was a standing room only meeting Monday night, Sept. 9 as family and friends of Oakdale High School FFA members gathered in the district’s Tech Center for the presentation of the 2019 Stanislaus County Thurman Award Winning Team.

During the monthly school board meeting on Monday night, Superintendent Marc Malone acknowledged the 2019 Thurman Award-winning Oakdale High School FFA team for individual achievements, as well as securing the title for the fourth consecutive year in a row.

“I think it’s pretty safe to say that over the course of time, we have developed the premier Ag Department in Stanislaus County,” Malone stated. “We are extremely proud of our students and extremely proud of our staff for the efforts that they put forth on an annual basis.”

OHS Ag Department Chair Isaac Robles addressed the board, acknowledging the success of the year, as well as the highest number of participants to date.

“We not just participated, but we participated and competed,” said Robles. “Our kids really excelled in almost any area you can think of. Really a lot of good that’s coming out of our program.”

He attributed the success to the students as well as the parents for their dedication and commitment of time and effort.

“If there’s one thing I don’t say enough about, it’s as a staff, the three of them including myself put in a tremendous amount of time,” the advisor stated of the ag teachers. “I know we enjoy it, we like it and I think it’s evident in the kids.”

Malone followed the presentation of the students by reminding the board and audience of the district goal to have students that were college and career ready and the focus of agriculture.

“As a result of that focus you are seeing the result,” Malone said.

Robles also attributed the Oakdale School Farm with the overall success of the program. He shared with the board that two-thirds of the entries for the fair competition were a result of utilizing the farm.

In relation to general business, Chief Business Officer Kassandra Booth presented the board with a review of the 2018-19 Unaudited Actuals Report. In reviewing the details of the report Booth highlighted a number of things within the report including a review of the non-spendable, restricted and assigned.

“What’s impressive about Oakdale Joint Unified School District, is the amount of money we spend in the classroom. Sixty-three percent going directly to our students,” she stated. “That includes our teachers, para educators, the supplies, the curriculum, the technology that they use every day in the classroom.”

Student Body officers of Fair Oaks Elementary School: Sam Oliveira, President; Freddy Herschbach, Vice President; Avery Jones, Secretary and Jackson Seefeldt Sergeant at Arms began the meeting leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

The next meeting will be hosted on Monday, Oct. 14 at the OJUSD Tech Center. Open session will begin at 6:30 p.m.