Mike Saviers
I will be foregoing my medical benefits if elected. I have family insurance through a private provider. If every other board member has their own family insurance and does not use that benefit that money should stay in FUSD. If in fact board members have their own insurance what is happening with that money set aside for that medical benefit if it is not being used for that purpose? The monies not used for medical benefits should be returned to the FUSD. It should be used for the District's business, like funding the school libraries needs. While I appreciate the predicament of the Fillmore Library it is part of the Ventura County Library system and should be funded through them, not with badly needed FUSD monies.

Scott Beylik
Yes, I would vote to discontinue my health insurance benefits, if I'm elected as a board member. I think the knowledge that each current board member receives heath insurance valued at $10,934.10 annually, will come as a surprise to many, including myself. This is due to the lack of transparency our district has struggled with over the past several years. I pledge to be open and completely transparent in all my decisions and actions.
With regards to opening the four elementary libraries, last board meeting the board voted to reclassify the library clerk’s job description. The district stated they would fund 2 hours per site for the rest of the school year, this would be at a cost of $6,000, which was very disappointing to hear. Yes, I think it is important to open the library, but two hours a day is barely enough time to boot up the computers, let alone actually do some benefit for the children that desperately need the resources. The cost per elementary school to fund a seven hour clerk for the rest of the school year is approximately $21,000. With our four elementary schools, we could fully fund our libraries for $84,000, compared to the districts $30 million annual budget. This is a necessary expense that should not have been cut out. As a point of comparison, a current city council member receives a stipend of $900 annually, and this will possibly increase to $3,600 annually, if voters approve. That is a huge discrepancy in compensation as compared to the time commitment of the city councils members versus the school board members. Even if the current school board members don't vote to change their current $55,000 compensation, we need to find the funds to maintain the libraries for all students. When making decisions my first thought will be to ensure that the students educational needs come first and foremost, and if that means I'm not compensated $10,934.10 annually, then it is a good day for Fillmore students.

Sean Morris
Yes, I am fortunate enough to have health coverage and will forgo the Insurance. There are two issues brought up by the questions, the first is funding for library and the second is School Board Trustee Compensation. I will answer them in that order.
It is important to understand the budget and what is being allocated for all programs including libraries. A school district is a service type of business so the majority of the outlays are for personnel including librarians. In order to compete with other schools, we must allocate funds for librarians and for the libraries as media resource centers. My vision for our libraries, especially the high school library, is to act as center for after school study, film discussion, lectures and guest speakers.
Our libraries need librarians. We also need the help of the community and the support of the school to bring in volunteers without impedance to help in all manners necessary for us to compete with other schools. Together we can make the libraries great with the necessary complement of school personnel and community volunteers.
As far as school board trustees are compensated, I do not have any issue with that. Many districts in our county provided a stipend and medical benefits to their board members. Being a board member is a lot of work and a small compensation is not out of order. That being said, I do not expect nor will I seek to receive compensation other than out of pocket expenses incurred for my duties as a board member from our district.
Sean Morris for School Board.

Lucy Rangel
It is unfortunate that with our current economy, funding for our schools and community is always lacking. At the same time, insurance rates and medical cost are rising to the extent that everyone needs health benefits. With this in mind, I would have to say that I would not be able to forego my health insurance in order to donate the proceeds to our community library. I understand the importance of libraries; however, if I were to donate the proceeds of my compensation to anyone, it would go back to the students I serve.

Dave Wilde
I think every community should have a community library. They can be used for so much more than checking out books. The library in Camarillo is always having different events that the community members can attend. If someone wanted to form a group to look at making our library used more by the public I would love to do that. Would I give up my insurance money to fund it? No, I think If my colleagues were to agree to a move like that, that the money should be spent on our students. That money could go to the music program, or school site libraries, etc.
I didn't run to be given health insurance. I wanted to serve our students. I asked that question at the VCOE four years ago. Their response helped me look at it a different way. They told me that I probably made about $36 an hour when I retired and you'll probably spend at least two hours a day with board related activities and it would amount to more than the cost of insurance each year. I easily spend more than two hours per day corresponding with other districts around the state and country discussing such things as; collaboration, RTI programs, instructional assessment plans, ESL instructional programs, peer coaching, etc. From most of those districts I get 50+ page program description plans, which I read at least twice. I just got two describing RTI programs that I need to read. That will take me at least three hours. It is what I like to do. I feel I should know as much as I can about programs and what other districts are doing. The county office said I should look at the compensation as a way the district says thanks. Since that discussion with VCOE officials, I just continue doing what I like to do. Visit schools, help with extra curricular programs, and research data from other districts.

Tony Prado
Yes , I would gladly donate $10,934.10, in health benefits if the Gazette, every farmer, business and city council person would match the donation! Remember, Vote for Tony Prado School Board.

[Editor's Note: The use of an outdated email for Tony Prado prevented him from receiving the first 2 questions. Please see them below]

Question #1: Who decides the direction of the District - the school board or the superintendent? What kind of relationship do you envision between them if you are elected?

Tony Prado
The school board decides the direction of the District, it does this by setting the vision of the District. The Board then collaborates with the Superintendent who carries out the vision. The Superintendent is accountable to the Board who sit on the Board of Trustees as representatives of the community. My role as a board member is to create a strong communicative relationship with the Superintendent and should the Board feel the Superintendent is off course, then the Board should seek information, provide feedback and support, to bring the efforts more in line with the intention of the Vision.
It is important that the Board have a strong sense of oversight and hold the Superintendent responsible for all the duties and responsibilities assigned to him including the quality of education, responding to issues and concerns raised by the community, administrators, teachers and staff. The Board needs to challenge and empower the Superintendent to utilize his management skills to improve and innovate to meet the needs of the District.
Ultimately the Board and the Superintendent are responsible for teacher effectiveness and student success in the classroom!

Question #2: What do you perceive as the most important issues for the school board and the District? What policies would you work to change, add or subtract?

Tony Prado
The most important issue for the school board and the District is our students receiving a first class education. The implementation of Common Core complemented with staff development will give the teachers and administration an opportunity to provide student success in the classroom. Reducing class size to 20 students or less in grades K-3 is vital to student achievement. I believe it is time to enhance technology in our District by eliminating textbooks and by issuing "tablets" to K-3 students, and laptops to students in grades 4-12. In order to achieve this idea it is necessary to initiate and pass a school bond. This school bond would include not only technology but monies for school improvements and repairs.
Another important issue that needs to be addressed is why so many parents are sending their children to other school districts. Our District loses thousands of dollars for every student that leaves our District, we cannot afford this flight of students. Every school district in Ventura County has one school that has achieved "California Distinguish School" status except Fillmore. The Principals in our District need to set a goal at working towards this achievement. An achievement of this kind would serve notice to all parents of this District that there is no reason to leave our District!