Fillmore Unified School District

Mike Saviers
I would say that if I am given this opportunity to serve I would want to familiarize myself with all the policies and and practices of the Fillmore Unified School District before making that determination. There is always room for improvement and we would be foolish to think that all our programs and practices are the "best practices". If another District is doing something that has been tested and verified and is working better than ours we should look at those opportunities to better ourselves. If members of our own District have ideas that have the potential to better the District we should look at them to identify any and all opportunities for improvement. Other District's may have programs and policies that would strengthen our District if implemented here, but without a well informed and educated Board of Trustees to know the workings and current policies and programs currently in place we would be wasting valuable time, time that might be better spent on other objectives.

Scott Beylik
A number of key policies are in existence and have become industry standard around the nation that should be evaluated for adoption by the Fillmore Unified School District. Specifically, policies relating to open and transparent meetings that leverage a community-based approach to problem solving and decision-making are by far some of the most important. A number of other governing bodies encourage the public to participate in an open forum where questions are asked answered and vital input from the community is heard and factored in to the final decision making process.
Another beneficial practice currently in play in the Ventura Unified School District is a monthly review and report of the districts financial status. The Current practice in play at the Fillmore Unified School District ia a bi-annual financial report. By having more frequent updates available to board members, we can make and/or modify our decisions with the most current information available.
Ventura Unified has also made it common practice to ensure one board member is present at every school and community event. This practices sends a clear message to faculty, students & parents that the board is connected with the school system and is knowledgeable on present-day issues.
Lastly, I would be excited to see the board develop and utilize a committee approach for managing special projects. The committee would consist of numerous school faculty members as well as students and parents that would work collectively to ensure all perspectives are considered during the decision making process.

Sean Morris
At the School Board Training provided by the Ventura County Office of Education, two ideas where drilled in my head: Transparency and Planning. These are two policies/practices that I would like to emphasize.
Transparency. Transparency is assured by communication with all parties and finding ways to make sure the community knows what is occurring in the District. We need to communicate the District’s Vision. I will communicate our vison as a Board Member at school, community and city events. I will share with people what is happening within the district and proclaim our successes from the “Mountain Tops.” We must be the ambassadors of our District and Schools. We will bring down many of the perceived barriers that are inhibiting communication and trust by creating an environment of approachability and understanding.
Plan for Success. The Superintendent and Board need to develop a plan for success. We need to start with the three most important needs, for example; Improving English Learner (EL) Test Scores, Opening & Staffing Libraries, and Improving Facilities. We will outline a strategy to meet the goals and put in place the necessary steps to make sure we have long term success. This will be done by publishing our plan and outlining who is accountable to make sure that these goals are obtained. We will monitor the plan and make adjustments when necessary. I suggest we have a report card to the community every six months outlining our progress in obtaining these goals; because, ultimately we as Board Members are responsible for the success and failures of the district.
It really comes down to developing a Vision, Planning, Communicating and Accountability. This is how I plan to serve our District. I would appreciate your vote: Sean Morris for School Board.

Lucy Rangel
Research shows that one of the key factors that distinguishes high performing schools from low performing ones is not only their high expectations for academic achievement, but also their high expectations for student behavior. One such practice that has made a positive impact at Isbell Middle School these past few years is a program called CHAMPS. CHAMPS is a proactive and positive approach to classroom management. This program helps administrators and teachers establish common goals, set guidelines for success, promote positive expectations, and motivate students to want to succeed.
Even though one of CHAMPS major focus is academic achievement, I would like to address the character education component of this program. In my opinion, this is an area our district really needs to focus on. For CHAMPS, success begins with character development. While it focuses on reducing discipline referrals, it also increases positive student behavior and promotes a safe school environment. The behavior expectations that are set up for CHAMPS are incorporated into each activity at school whether it be walking in the hallway, eating in the cafeteria, or studying in the classroom. And when students follow these expectations, the learning experience is optimized for everyone.
We all know that students are more motivated to do well and realize their potential in schools that have a positive environment, where they feel safe, included, and supported. CHAMPS trains students to be leaders in their schools, homes, and communities. They also learn the value and integrity that go with the practice of giving back to their community. We need to foster the development of caring and responsible citizens. CHAMPS is a practice I would like to implement here in our district.

Dave Wilde
I used to be concerned about the relationship with the city and being more transparent with our parents and community. When we hired Dr Palazuelos he wanted that to be one of his focus points. He is already working to make those goals come true. I was also concerned about providing the community with a superintendent that is more visible and accessible. He has already shown he is moving in that direction. I used to be concerned about ESL instruction and all our school sites, but especially the high school, but Martha Hernandez, our assistant superintendent in charge of curriculum, has already made some great moves towards addressing that issue. If some of you were at the last board meeting, you know what I am referring to.
There are a couple of things I feel need to be addressed and that is collaboration, and RTI at the high school. A teacher driven collaboration system needs to be put in place that provides the teachers with time to work with their colleagues to improve instruction as we move into common core. This has not been in place for the past two or three years and I challenge you to find a successful district who does not have a great collaboration program in place. Like collaboration, the high school also needs a teacher and data driven intervention program to addresses the individual learning needs of our students as they surface. When a student is identified as having difficulty in any class that problem needs to be identified early and addressed right away. This program would help prevent students from falling behind where it becomes difficult to catch up.
Teachers at all grade levels know what needs their students have. After all, they are the ones working with them directly each school day. That is why the teachers should have a huge say in the way they use collaboration and intervention program to address the individual learning needs of their students.

Tony Prado
In Fillmore, there currently exists an "achievement gap" among student subgroups that threatens their future. Access to high-quality educational experiences should be the right of every student in Fillmore and it is the responsibility of each school in the District to work toward that end. The Fillmore Unified School District achieves this goal with the college prep students at Fillmore High School. But when it comes to the average or below average student the District falls short, this is why our schools are in Program Improvement.
The Fillmore community and its students deserve the bests educational experience possible. Our schools need to provide an equitable and rigorous education. Among the principals at each school site there needs to be established a spirit of competition towards achieving a "California Distinguish School" status. The FUSD is probably the only district in Ventura County without one school achieving this awqrd. A California Distinguish School is an award given by California State Board of Education to public schools within the state that best represent exemplary and quality educational programs. Elgibility is based on federal and state criteria including the "No Child Left Behind" program, "Academic Performance Index" (API), and "Adequate Yearly Progress" (AYP). These are areas that our District needs to address and improve upon. By working towards achieving California Distinguish School status we would be working towards removing the District out of Program Improvement.
Imagine the pride in this community if one or more schools achieved this award, there would be no excuse for any parent wanting to move their child to another school district. Imagine the honor and pride the teachers would attain, knowing their standards and expectations were being recognized by the state of California. Imagine the teachers realizing their effectiveness in the classroom was right on! And if one school in the District could do it, why not the others?
We are a small community and we should be able to control our students destiny - to excel beyond their dreams. Yes, it can be done in the Fillmore Unified School District. It is a challenge that must be taken! Vote for Tony Prado for School Board