Board Names Westmoor Track After Coach DiMaggio, Approves $6M Bond Savings

The Jefferson Union High School District Governing Board honored a half-century of coaching legacy, unlocked new playing fields for hundreds of young athletes, and moved to save taxpayers millions — all in a single evening that showcased a district deeply invested in its students and community. The March 24 meeting also celebrated a remarkable student turnaround and heard first reads on three policy updates covering parent rights, workplace safety, and complaint procedures.

• Westmoor High School track unanimously named after Coach Ron DiMaggio, honoring nearly 50 years, 50+ league championships, and 500+ dual meet victories

• Two bond refinancing resolutions approved, projected to save district taxpayers more than $6 million through restructured payments

• Oceana High School field agreements greenlit for Pacifica United Soccer Club, reviving an unused field for 435 young players at no district cost

• Ibrahim honored as Westmoor Student of the Year after transforming from a struggling transfer student to a peer leader

• AFT Local 1481 announces new co-presidents, signaling a leadership transition for the union representing nearly all district employees

A Coach's Legacy, Written in Concrete

Why it matters: Facility naming honors are rare in school districts — reserved for figures whose impact transcends a single era. With nearly five decades at Westmoor High School, Coach Ron DiMaggio has shaped generations of student athletes, making the track naming a recognition of institutional significance.

Superintendent Toni Presta read Resolution 2025-2026-13 into the record, documenting a career that began in 1978 when former students recruited DiMaggio from Fernando Rivera Intermediate School. The numbers tell part of the story: more than 50 league championships, over 500 dual meet victories, and at least 35 state meet qualifiers. DiMaggio also hosts one of the largest cross-country meets on the San Francisco Peninsula, entering its 44th year in 2026.

Every board member spoke in support.

"Five decades, boy, that's a long time to put yourself out there for the kids in our community," said Trustee Jerome Gallegos, who noted his bonus daughter Yasmine Gu ran track for DiMaggio.

Vice President Rosie Tejada connected DiMaggio's influence across generations:

"My son Evan ran for you and jumped for you for four years. And he made such a huge difference in his life."

Tejada recalled that DiMaggio was already coaching when she attended Jefferson High School in the early 1980s.

Trustee Andy Lie highlighted how DiMaggio's leadership created space for positive life change. Trustee LaSaundra Gutter shared that she first learned about DiMaggio during her board interview, calling his story a powerful introduction to the district's culture.

DiMaggio addressed the board in an emotional speech:

"I feel it's the greatest honor that a track coach can get is to have the facility named after them. I've won awards and we've won championships, but to know that so many people have felt that what my program stands for and all the effort and the time that I put in and that it's meant to a difference to people — that is more than the wins."

He shared his coaching philosophy:

"Learn how to give the most you can. And the kids always tell me, you always say, don't cheat yourself — and that's it."

Decisions: Resolution 2025-2026-13 passed unanimously (For: 5, Against: 0, Absent: 0) by voice vote.

$6 Million in Bond Savings for Taxpayers

The basics: The district's financial advisors identified an opportunity to refinance outstanding bonds issued in 2016 under voter-approved 2006 and 2014 authorizations. Two resolutions — 2025-2026-11 (Series A/2006 authorization) and 2025-2026-12 (Series B/2014 authorization) — capture those savings.

Why it matters: As a community-funded district, the refinancing delivers estimated savings exceeding $6 million directly to property taxpayers through restructured bond payments.

Where things stand: A staff presenter and financial advisor Joe Crump from Dale Scott & Company walked the board through the mechanics. Trustee Andy Lie — who had attended the Sacramento Schools for Sound Finance Symposium earlier that day with Deputy Superintendent Tina Van Raphorst — pressed on the practical impact:

"How will it look on the average taxpayer's property tax bill? What will they actually see when this happens?"

Crump explained the refinancing restructures payments to move more principal forward, resulting in a very small short-term increase that stabilizes the tax rate while yielding significant long-term savings.

Decisions: Resolution 2025-2026-11 passed unanimously by voice vote (For: 5, Against: 0). Resolution 2025-2026-12 also passed unanimously by voice vote (For: 5, Against: 0).

Unused Oceana Field Comes Back to Life for Youth Soccer

Why it matters: Field space is scarce across the peninsula, and an unused former baseball field at Oceana High School represents both wasted district property and unmet youth recreation demand. The new agreements activate that space at zero cost to the district.

Where things stand: The board approved two joint use agreements with Pacifica United Soccer Club: a renewal of the existing upper field arrangement (in place for over a decade) and a new agreement for the middle field, which has sat unmaintained.

Curtis Chan, PUSC board member, pediatrician, and parent of two JUHSD students, told the board the entirely volunteer-run club serves 435 members across fall, spring, and summer seasons. The club provides free skills camps, partners with high schools for clinics, and hires student coaches. Chan said most rehabilitation of the middle field would come through in-kind donations plus approximately $20,000 the club will raise itself, with a goal of completion within a year. The field would serve as a 9-versus-9 field accommodating about 25 kids at a time or 40 during training.

Trustee Jerome Gallegos underscored the urgency:

"I definitely empathize with the need for field space, especially for our soccer clubs. I coached at Lowen for 10 years and we lost Crestmoor recently."

The other side: Board President Sherrett Walker disclosed a conflict of interest before the vote, sharing his son plays for PUSC. He chose to abstain but presided over the roll call.

Decisions: The motion passed 4-0-1 (For: Lie, Tejada, Gutter, Gallegos; Abstain: Walker).

From Hiding in a Car to Student of the Year

Why it matters: Ibrahim's recognition as Westmoor High School's 2025-2026 Student of the Year spotlights the district's special education, case management, and social-emotional programs — particularly the Young Men's Health group, which addresses issues of masculinity and mental wellness.

Principal Victor Zou recounted Ibrahim's journey after transferring from Jefferson in spring 2024 as a struggling student whose first language is Arabic and who had special education accommodations.

"One of my earliest memories of Ibrahim is that I remember finding out there was somebody in back of a sedan in the parking lot during class. We went out — and lo and behold, we found Ibrahim hiding in the passenger seat, trying to avoid going to class."

Ibrahim's transformation was swift. Zou described him evolving into a leader in the Young Men's Health group and a model for peers, adding:

"You have your strength of character and the way that you have grown to be a model for your peers in such a short time. That is what I think we are most proud of today."

Multiple staff members — case manager Suheir Michael, Justin Martinez of the Young Men's Health group, and science teacher Donna Nava — sent congratulatory messages. Ibrahim aspires to become a police officer.

Board members each offered personal remarks. Trustee LaSaundra Gutter told Ibrahim:

"I just want to congratulate you on betting on yourself at a time when you might not have been feeling as well about how things are going, but you were able to overcome some things and bet on yourself. And it really paid off."

Trustee Andrew Lie connected Ibrahim's story to the broader district mission:

"Thank you so much for creating this space and the support for a student like Ibrahim, because really, it's about creating a space for positive life change, because that's what we're in the business of."

Superintendent Toni Presta added:

"I loved hearing that you are a leader in the Young Men's Health group as well. That is something that is going to help a lot of others. So you're helping yourself and you're helping others."

Ibrahim addressed the board briefly, thanking his teachers and Principal Zou. His family, including an enthusiastic younger sister, attended the ceremony.

Union Leadership Turns a Page

AFT Local 1481, representing nearly all classified and certificated district employees, announced a leadership transition. Monica Casey, the outgoing representative, reported the union elected co-presidents Michaela Christensen (classified) and Adam Kubey (certificated), along with co-vice presidents Matt Barnes (classified) and Robert Rustia (certificated).

Casey explained the dual structure:

"We're a union that represents almost everyone in our district except for the CAFE workers and obviously the administration. So we have a co-president that's classified and a co-president that's certificated."

She also reported attending the CFT State Council meeting in Anaheim, where delegates made decisions on candidates and policy interests, and she took a class on cybersecurity for personal and member data protection. Casey directed the board to the union website for the full executive board listing and noted upcoming No Kings Day social justice actions on Saturday. Board President Sherrett Walker acknowledged her service as she delivered her final report to the board.

Minor Items

• Consent agenda approved unanimously by voice vote.

• Board Policy 5020 (Parent Rights and Responsibilities) received a first read, updated to codify parent/guardian opt-out rights for certain instruction and FERPA notification compliance. Returns for second read and adoption.

• Board Policies 4144/4244/4344 (Complaints) received a first read as entirely new policies creating a single standardized procedure for processing all complaints against district personnel.

• Board Policies 4157/4257/4357 (Employee Safety) received a first read, updated to formally include SB 553 workplace violence prevention requirements. The district is already in compliance.

• Board and student trustee reports covered a whirlwind of spring activities: Westmoor's Mamma Mia musical drew a record 350 attendees on closing night; Terra Nova held a ribbon cutting for its new baseball/softball field; the district art show drew multiple board visitors; Lie attended the Sacramento Schools for Sound Finance Symposium; Tejada canvassed Daly City neighborhoods for immigrant rights with Rooted Together and the REACH Coalition of San Mateo County and attended YouthPoint Health's rebranding and Daly City's 115th birthday celebration; Gutter visited Thornton High School (where she met the school's chickens); and Walker volunteered at a Terra Nova track meet.

• The board's next major session is an all-day study session on Saturday.