08-05-2025
'Let's do something great': Community weighs in as Lodi Unified rolls out early plans for new school
May 8—Lodi Unified School District teachers on Tuesday questioned why preliminary plans for a new campus did not include rooms designed for specific subjects such as art, music and science.
Tokay High School science teacher Susan Heberle told the district's board of education that the proposed construction of Samuel M. Gantner School was exciting, and that this was an opportunity for staff to create something extraordinary for students.
"Because it's going to be an elementary school, it's okay to put in a science room, or a project room, or even an art room," she said. "Because students need that. It's about looking to the future, something we can do that will help our kids flourish. Maybe if we used (the room) as a role model, we could add it to other schools."
District staff presented the new campus' specifications to the board Tuesday, and while the plans proposed outdoor learning areas and "collaboration flex space" to give students more room to work together in smaller groups, there was no mention of rooms where students could play instruments or undertake scientific experiments.
The school, to be located on an 11.5-acre site west of GracePoint Church at Vine Street and Westgate Drive, will focus primarily on TK-6 grades, with the possibility of accommodating seventh- and eighth- grade students in the future, if necessary.
The school's capacity would be 650 students in TK-6 and 850 students if it were to accommodate seventh- and eighth graders.
Preschool through third-grade classes would have about 24 students each, while grades 4-6 would have 30 students in each class.
Staff added that the campus' design would prioritize flexible, adaptable spaces; combine mobile furniture with built-in storage; have a sink in every classroom; and include backpack storage needed at all grade levels.
"Whether it's including middle school students or not, we want to continue to have these thriving middle school programs," music teacher Mary Guida said. "Tokay is a powerhouse because we have these feeder programs. So we need to make sure we have guaranteed space for every teacher that is going to be on that site."
Former board member Ron Heberle said he liked the idea of Gantner becoming a K-8 campus, but only if it's planned well.
He said the district should build the school with the intention that 850 students will be attending on day one.
"If you're planning a school, you need to plan growth and build for growth," he said. "The population will increase, because Lodi's population is going to increase during the lifespan of the school. Don't build it for what you have now, build it's for what's coming down the road."
The school's name was unanimously chosen by the board in 2003 to honor the first Lodian killed in World War II.
Gantner was a Lodi High graduate and a young father who was stationed on the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor when Japanese forces attacked on Dec. 7, 1941.
As planes approached, Gantner raced to his battle station, a 5-inch anti-aircraft gun on the deck. He fired at the attacking planes but was wounded and taken to the ship's hospital.
Soon after arriving though, medics noticed he was no longer in the treatment area. He was later seen back at his battle station with his crew, firing at the enemy.
An official citation read, in part: "He maintained an effective fire with his gun, in local control, despite heavy casualties on his gun, bomb hits, exploding ammunition on deck, and serious fires, and was killed at his station."
He was 21. His remains were buried at the Punch Bowl military cemetery in Hawaii.
Board member Sherry Alexander said the district should take Guida's suggestions, as well as Susan Heberle's, into consideration.
"A science, music and art, or even a STEAM area would be hugely beneficial," she said. "When we have a chance to do something great, let's do something great."
