By Andre Pecina, Corcoran Joint USD superintendent
As superintendent of Corcoran Joint Unified School District in Kings County, I believe some of the most important learning we do as leaders happens when we stop, listen and allow students to speak openly about their experiences. On April 22, our district took an important step in that direction when the Corcoran JUSD school board held its first Student Voice Listening and Learning Session.
The idea began with Board President Theresa Cisneros, who was inspired by conversations with her daughter, a graduating senior. Those conversations reminded her that the decisions made in the boardroom are deeply personal for the students and families we serve.
“Listening to my daughter, I knew that my role as a board member, especially as president, extended beyond the boardroom,” Cisneros shared. “As a board, we needed to hear from our students what we were doing well and where we needed to improve. That is the only way we can get better for them.”
Her vision became a meaningful opportunity for students from John Muir Middle School, Corcoran High School and Kings Lake Continuation High School to sit down with trustees and district leaders for honest, thoughtful conversation. The session was structured around a simple but powerful reflection model: Rose, Bud and Thorn. Students were asked what is going well, what they are looking forward to and what challenges need attention.
The format created space for students to speak candidly. Three small-group tables were facilitated by members of my executive cabinet team, with trustees listening closely and asking questions. In just one hour, our students provided insight that was affirming, constructive and deeply valuable.
The feedback centered on three key areas:
Rose: What is going well
Students expressed appreciation for:
- Teachers and staff who are helpful, energetic, understanding and committed to student success
- Strong academic programs and increasing graduation rates
- Early graduation opportunities
- Successful athletics, art, agriculture and elective programs
- College trips, career exploration and counseling support
- Clean classrooms, library access and improved campus conditions
Bud: What students are looking forward to
Students shared that they would like to see more of:
- Hands-on learning experiences
- Advanced electives and engaging course options
- Clubs such as robotics and yearbook
- Agriculture activities and expanded program opportunities
- Field trips, college visits and career exploration
- Guest speakers and workshops on financial aid, college options and dual enrollment
- Rewards, motivation, mentorship and personalized learning opportunities
Thorn: What is challenging
Students also identified areas that need continued attention, including:
- Bullying, fights, rumors and disrespect
- Overall campus climate and student relationships
- Restroom cleanliness and soap availability
- Vaping smells and access to clean water
- Campus cleanliness and lunch supervision
- Safety, dress code fairness and access to activities
The overall message was clear: our students are proud of their schools, especially the caring adults and meaningful programs that support them. At the same time, they are asking us to continue focusing on safety, fairness, facilities, opportunity and belonging. They want every student to feel seen, heard and supported.
Our next steps are already taking shape. As a governance team, we will review the feedback to identify trends and areas for deeper discussion. We will develop an action plan to address areas the district can support. Most importantly, we will make student listening sessions a regular part of our work, with a goal of holding them at least twice each year.
Student voice cannot be a one-time event. It must be part of how we lead, how we make decisions and how we measure whether our work is making a difference. For me, honoring student voice is essential to making the best decisions for our schools. Having our board experience that voice directly strengthens us as a governance team and keeps us focused on what matters most: the students we serve.
