School Board President John Garnica with Norma Perez-Sandford. Perez-Sandford received “Be the Change” certificate at Tuesday night’s meeting.

School Board President John Garnica with Kirk Richter. Kirk Richter received “Be the Change” certificate at Tuesday night’s meeting.

The open session of the Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board meeting was January 20, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room at the District Office. The Board presented awards to Norma Perez-Sanford and Kirk Richter, discussed grading policies, heard Sespe Players' proposal for facilities' use, approved an e-rate proposal, heard a budget update, and discussed Fillmore High School (FHS) track and field use.

Sierra High School (SHS) Principal Tony Held introduced Norma Perez-Sanford, school counselor for SHS and FHS. Perez-Sanford said that she was guided by God, she loved the community and her work, and was honored. She spoke about the importance of mentors and role models in school. FHS Principal John Wilber introduced FHS teacher Kirk Richter. Richter started a Ventura College agriculture class at the high school to simultaneously teach students landscaping and improve the appearance of FHS's campus. He hopes that the class will continue in the fall. Board President John Garnica, on behalf of the Board, presented "Be the Change" certificates to both honorees for their outstanding work.

Principal Wilber and FHS Counselor Al Arguelles presented FHS's policy on credits and grading for Advanced Placement (AP) and College courses. The policy was designed to encourage students to go to college, and help them get there. AP courses receive an extra .5 credit for calculation of GPA. College courses that are transferable to universities in the U.C. system receive an extra .5 credit and college units for those courses are multiplied by 3.3 to determine the number of high school units credited. According to Board Policy 5127, Honors classes count A's as 5 points, B's as 4 points, etc. There was some controversy in the discussion regarding the rigor of various courses, and whether GPA rankings could be manipulated by a student's choice of classes. Garnica noted that the top 5% of the graduating class is guaranteed admission to a U.C. school. Arguelles explained that students and parents are aware of their options, and that colleges consider transcripts, which list the specific classes taken, when making admissions decisions.

John Foy, President of Sespe Players, Inc., presented a proposal for alternative payment for the use of facilities. He provided the Board with an estimated budget for the season, explained that Sespe Players had never lost money on a production (even when renting expensive theater space from the City), and offered the District 60% of the profits in lieu of fees for use of the auditorium. The Board explained that their budget is too tight to allow risk-taking, and is seeking proof that all electrical and janitorial costs would be covered. Garnica directed staff to examine Sespe Players' financial records. Foy indicated that the District and Sespe Players could cooperate to estimate electrical costs. The matter was tabled.

The Board approved next year's E-Rate submission. The District will request student email accounts, web services, network hardware maintenance, wireless phone service, and network electronics. Most of the requests, if granted, would be 80% funded by E-Rate and 20% funded by the district. Network electronics for San Cayetano Elementary, Mountain Vista Elementary, and SHS would be 90% funded. FUSD does not expect all of the requests to be granted.

Assistant Superintendent Mike Bush presented a budget update. The District had set aside some money to cover the gap that will occur with state budget cuts. The one-time money to cover this year's gap is less than expected because there are 36 fewer students enrolled than projected and there were unexpected special education costs. Reductions in next year's state budget are expected to have an even worse impact because the District will have increased costs: health benefits will be more expensive, step and column raises will occur, FUTA has negotiated a 1% raise, and operational costs (such as electricity) will increase. Bush expects the FUSD budget to be cut by approximately 7%, that is, by over two million dollars. FUSD is taking immediate steps: enrollment projections will be updated, teachers will be surveyed to determine how many are planning to stay in the district, staff will look for savings in this year's budget, and the Board will hold Budget Study Sessions on Tuesdays in February, except when regular Board Meetings are scheduled. A written communication from the Ventura County Board of Education noted that midyear state budget cuts are expected.

Superintendent Jeff Sweeney reported that Piru Elementary is considering the potential impacts of becoming K-8 and will provide an analysis for the February 3rd Board Meeting. Katy Hadley, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, is researching newcomer programs for English Learners.

The Board determined that money allotted for new elementary math textbooks must be spent on math textbooks according to current law, especially since students are not scoring well on elementary math tests. Books are in the process of being approved.

The Board approved a field trip requested by Joe Ricards. Participating FHS students will attend the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Made for Excellence Conference or the FFA Advanced Leadership Academy.

Libby Candelario, with other parents whose children play soccer and/or are on the track team, complained that the soccer team has not had appropriate access to the FHS stadium field. The track striping project has been repeatedly delayed by weather, and the soccer team had to postpone its first game of the season. There was another game scheduled for January 21st, and it was uncertain whether striping would be completed in time. The Board expressed its sympathy, promised to improve communications regarding field construction, and expressed its hope that the striping would be finished that night.

The Board heard a request from Brain Ball, a Fillmore Resident, former FHS student, and volunteer Assistant Coach for the FHS track team. He is training for the 2012 Olympic trials, and would like to use the FHS track. FHS Coaches have been told that they cannot use the track for personal use, but the Board is reconsidering that decision because worker's comp insurance might cover liability and it is important for coaches to be physically fit. No decision was made.

The modifications to the fence surrounding the track and field at FHS are complete.

The Board approved twelve teaching assignments for FHS teachers who are teaching outside their credential authorization. The assignments included four athletics assignments, Driver's Education, ASB, Yearbook, and five academic assignments which were given to teachers who have the appropriate college credits to teach the assigned subjects.

The joint City Council-School Board meeting will be February 11th, not January 27th.