Principal’s Message

Melville S. Jacobson School Community,

My name is Derek Sprecksel. It is an honor to be the Principal at Jacobson Elementary School. This will be my eighth year at Jacobson, my sixth as the Principal.  I served as the Assistant Principal at Jacobson for two years prior to becoming the Principal, also serving as Villalovoz Elementary School's Assistant Principal during that time.  This will be my twenty-fourth year in education, all in the Tracy Unified School District.  Prior to becoming an administrator, I was a teacher at West High School for sixteen years. I also coached boys’ basketball at West High for fourteen years, in addition to serving as the athletic director there for five years.  I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and sports.  

I am passionate about all students learning and improving academically and behaviorally every day.  We have an enthusiastic, knowledgeable, dedicated, caring Team at Jacobson to work with our students every day, helping them to reach their full potential.  We believe every student can succeed at school. 

It is essential that all students read at or above grade level as soon as possible.  Literacy is at the core of a solid academic foundation.  The 2025-2026 school year will be the fifth year of Jacobson Elementary School’s Book Flood.  Every student will continue to get a free book from their teacher at the end of each month of school.

We emphasize teamwork and collaboration at Jacobson.  We will continue to work together to support all students.  We also will continue to build positive, meaningful relationships with our school community.  It has been extremely rewarding working with our students, staff, and parents at Jacobson for the past seven years.  I am appreciative of the partnership we have with our school community.

Our Jacobson Elementary School Team is looking forward to an outstanding 2025-2026 school year! 

Thank you,
Derek Sprecksel, Principal