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• Project fits the bill

• Galt Crime Stoppers making a comeback

• Who are you going to vote for?

November 20th, 2009

• Acampo woman killed

• Salvation Army Kettle Kickoff

• Advocacy groups sue East Bay Municipal Utility District over Pardee expansion

• Regional Roundup

• Galt plans to help residents with energy-efficient projects

• Stable southeast of Lodi approved

• One year after a heart attack, Lodi's Judy Mims thanks rescuers

• National Guard troops return home in time for the holidays

• Real estate market gets on more solid ground

November 19th, 2009

• Lodi Unified School District board votes to cancel summer school for 2010

• Water surges in Mokelumne River yield more salmon

• Lodi City Council will consider redevelopment next June

• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22

• Corrections

• Chase ends in crash

• Operation: Christmas

• Logbook

• Suspect arrested after hiding in fridge

• Galt Joint Union High School Distric hires new superintendent

• Sales tax hike yields dividends: 5 new officers join Galt Police

November 18th, 2009

• Regional Roundup

• Paranormal group conducts second investigation of building

• Congress allocates money for local water projects

• Lodi man finds wife's ashes during police display of stolen property

• Galt City Council rejects study on rent stabilization

• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react

November 17th, 2009

• Clarification

• Lodi Budget and Finance Committee to look into ways to save money on employee benefits

• Regional Roundup

• Decision on summer school expected at tonight's Lodi Unified School District meeting

• Clements gets free water rescue boat

• Redevelopment to be discussed by Lodi City Council again

• Court reinstates death penalty for killer of Lodi grad

• Paying tribute to a Lodian

November 16th, 2009

• Correction

• Public Meetings

• Regional Roundup

• Three members of Lodi-area family fall ill after eating poisonous mushrooms they reportedly found at Lodi Lake

• Sierra Adventure store to close after four years in Downtown Lodi

• Lodi's First Sip event showcases area wineries' latest vintages

• City Council 'triple-dog dared' to ditch cars, use Lodi buses

November 14th, 2009

• Galt school district narrows superintendent search to one

• Regional Roundup

• A first look at 2009 vintages at Lodi's First Sip wine-tasting event

• Watchful neighbor in Lodi helped bust suspected burglars

• Despite budget cuts, some Lodi Unified School District salaries continue to rise

• Despite an increase in homeless students, school districts look to bolster enrollment, raise revenue

• New Galt city manager juggles job, family

November 13th, 2009

• What to expect with new homebuyer tax credit

• Lodi Muslim: Local mosque not involved

• Regional Roundup

• Mayor Larry Hansen points out Lodi's economic progress

• First phase of Lockeford park by 2011?

• Lodi veteran recounts close calls in Vietnam

• Burglary suspects are under arrest

The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.

• The country's mess is our fault (155)
• Obama is not a moderate (130)
• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react (67)
• Despite budget cuts, some Lodi Unified School District salaries continue to rise (58)
• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22 (48)
• The haves should help the have-nots (30)
• Public health care is a Christian option (27)
• Lodi Flames slim playoff chances vanish in setback to Tracy Bulldogs (25)
• Tokay in, traveling to unbeaten No. 3 Grant for football playoffs (25)
• Nightmares about America's future (23)

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There was an educational trip closer to home

Recently Lodi News-Sentinel Feb. 12 — Dr. Robert Closson wrote an opinion indicating his concern about the Catalina Island science trip and the "institutional segregation" it represents.

From my experience, I know that the Lodi Unified District and its staff provide learning and reward opportunities for all students. No one is left behind from inability to pay or from academic elitism. There are problems, however.

It is interesting to note his solution would be a study trip closer to home for all students. We did have that opportunity (in addition to Catalina); it was called Science Camp! Several years ago, the board decided to eliminate Science Camp for all 6th grade students to save $90,000, but kept the Senior Project, which costs more than $350,000 (direct costs only) per year. These decisions didn't make sense to me or the rest of the Superintendent's Budget Advisory Committee at the time.

But then there are a few other things that don't make sense, such as: 1) the District use of "fuzzy math" programs instead of traditional math; 2) social science instead of history, 3) projects in place of literature, writing and rhetoric; 4) environmental activism rather than science; and 5) emphasis of multiculturalism, diversity, sensitivity and political correctness, instead of art, music, P.E. and extracurricular activities.

The usual excuses are money and time, but the real reasons are priorities and power. As Dr. Closson has a doctorate in Education, maybe those in charge of curriculum would listen to him more than a parent. Most parents would be surprised at what comes out of Sacramento and the County Office of Education, if they were to get more involved by getting out of the car kicking the tires, looking under the hood and asking a few questions.

Paul Verdegaal
Acampo