Michelle Rodriguez, the 14th superintendent of Stockton Unified School District in just under two decades, recently marked her first year leading the district. Known for its struggles with legal issues, financial troubles, and frequent leadership turnover, Stockton Unified has faced many challenges, including low student achievement, with most of its 40,000 students failing to meet state standards in English and math.
Rodriguez, who took on the role in July 2023, has focused on restoring stability, rebuilding public trust, and prioritizing student success. Guided by a 100-day plan and feedback from over 40 school visits, town halls, and listening sessions, Rodriguez has implemented a public accountability system with 44 priority recommendations.
One of her key initiatives, dubbed It Takes All of Us, includes a public dashboard that tracks the district's progress on these goals. "We didn’t want the community to feel like their input went unheard," Rodriguez said, emphasizing the importance of transparency.
Rodriguez’s approach has led to early wins, including the distribution of radios to special education classrooms to enhance safety. She also formed a Student Advisory Council, the first of its kind in Stockton Unified, to give students a voice in district decision-making.
Long-term goals under Rodriguez’s leadership have included creating student success plans for vulnerable student groups, such as Black students and English learners, as well as addressing staff turnover through exit interviews. Notably, the district has also addressed the mismanagement of $7.3 million in federal ESSER funds, successfully avoiding the need to repay $6.6 million in improperly awarded contracts.
As the district continues to navigate its systemic issues, including chronic absenteeism and equity gaps, Rodriguez remains committed to creating lasting change. "Some of these changes will not happen in one single year," she said, vowing to spend the last eight years of her career dedicated to Stockton Unified.
