Recognition went to Hannah Wishart for serving as Student Representative for the 2015-2016 school years. The Fillmore Unified Board Members each spoke of what a pleasure it was to have her at the meetings. Wishart will soon be leaving for Wyoming to continue her studies. She is pictured with Board President Virginia de la Piedra. Photo courtesy Bob Crum.

The May 17, 2016 Fillmore Unified School Board meeting began with recognition of dance advisor Lourdes Juarez and the Fillmore High School (FHS) dance group Ballet Folklorico. As Board President Virginia de la Piedra presented each recipient a Certificate of Recognition she commented that her daughter had also participated with the group while attending FHS. Those receiving were: Daniel Castillo, Fatima Castillo, Esmeralda Ceballos, Jessica Equihua, Melissa Gonzalez, Montserrat Infante, Isela Munoz, Daniela Orozco, Shaina Ponce and Leslie Ramos.

The second recognition went to Hannah Wishart for serving as Student Representative for the 2015-2016 school years. The Board Members each spoke of what a pleasure it was to have her at the meetings. Wishart will soon be leaving for Wyoming to continue her studies.

During the Superintendent's Report Dr. Adrian E. Palazuelos informed everyone of some very welcoming news. Palazuelos proudly read a statement, "Graduation, Dropout, and Cohort Outcome Data, I am pleased to report that the Fillmore Unified School District has received confirmation of an increase in graduation rate and a decrease in the dropout rate for the district and Fillmore High School. All data is based on the cohort outcome for the year of graduation and examines all registered students in 12th grade in 2014-2015 over the course of their four years of study. I am extraordinarily proud of our district and school staff for their work in these areas. We have more work to do to capture 100% of graduates and have zero dropouts in our community!"

The FUSD increased graduation rates in 2014-2015 by 8.9% over the previous 2013-2014 school year, while decreasing dropout rates to 5.4% in those same years.

Fillmore High School improved its graduation rate going from 86.6% to 94.6% in 2014-2015 over the previous school year as well as improving the dropout rate going down to 4.5% from the higher 7.9%, which is a 3.4% decrease.

Even more good news was the 12th grade graduates completing all courses required for UC and/or CSU entrance went from 34 students (15.7% of graduates) in 2013-2014 to 81 students (38.8% of graduates) in 2014-2015.

During Public Comments FUSD teachers and parents of students once again spoke to the Board and staff regarding the issues they felt had not been addressed to their liking.

Reyama Mchammel, a Fillmore resident of 27 years with three children who are presently or have attended FUSD, addressed the Board stating "We need to support the District....be competitive. I have volunteered and know the teachers really earn their paycheck."

Mountain View Elementary teacher Janet Bergano spoke of reducing class size. Mary Ford, retired teacher from Fillmore Middle School stated, "We have good teachers, some of the best in the county." She also commented that the teachers asked for a 7% increase in salary and were offered less than 6%, but it should have been 10% increase. Ford spoke of her concern with losing teachers.

Percilla Rivino, mother of three FUSD students and works with the after-school program, was very blunt in her statement saying "The way you're treating the teachers is unacceptable." Rivino also wanted the class size reduced, stating "My child complains it's (the class) too loud."

Teacher Sandra Butts spoke of all three issues teachers feel need addressing; class size (elementary level), salary and a "blotted" administration.

The Fillmore Unified Teachers Association distributed handouts addressing these issues at supermarkets in town and during school open house. In the handout they encouraged parents and others to attend and speak at the next Board meeting, along with writing letters supporting teacher to the Fillmore Gazette.

As the meetings continued the issue of contract negotiations was an agenda item up for approval as an "Action Item". The District and the California School Employees Association (CSEA) had previously come to an agreement, which was approved during this meeting. The FUSD and CSEA agreed that as of July 1, 2015 FUSD's teachers will receive a 5.5% increase along with a one-time 1.5% off schedule payment based on the current salary schedule and to include longevity, shift differential, bilingual stipend and special education differential pay.

During previous meeting there had been discussions considering placing a Bond on the upcoming November ballot. FUSD hired Dale Scott & Company (DS&Co) to survey the attitude of Fillmore residents regarding a property tax increase.

DS&Co representative Mark Farrel presented the survey findings. Three hundred registered Fillmore voters (who may or may not be property owners) were called and asked 29 questions between May 3rd-7th. Of those surveyed about half presently have or had children/grandchildren who attend/attended FUSD. When asked to compare the quality of education at FUSD they responded; 8% excellent, 28% good, 28% fair, 15% poor, 5% very poor, don't know 16%.

Regarding the Facilities Master Plan to prioritize improvements, 67% of those asked did not know of the plan.
When asked if they would vote for $35 million in bonds to improve campus and classrooms 62% said Yes, with an even larger percentage stating "Yes" to various individual structural improvements and safety improvements. Approval went up to 78% when asked that it was possible to have State matching funds obtained if the Bonds were approved.

There was less support for funds that would be used for gymnasiums, auditoriums and projects that do little for education with support at 32%. When the question asked referred to a larger future expense ($170 million) needed and the Bonds would be part of more new taxes the support plummeted to 24%.

When the question was stated; The bond would annually cost District property owners $60 per $100,000 assessed value per year the approval was 37%. But when the question was stated; The bond would not increase property taxes, but would continue the tax rate currently charged for school facilities the approval was 67%.

When asked where or by who they receive information about FUSD 82% responded family and friends, 73% unsure, 57% Fillmore Gazette, 37% FUSD employees, 22% Ventura Star, 12% internet, 9% FUSD website, 6% public meetings and 2% local radio.

The final analyses of the findings were that the difference in support relied on how the questions were worded. Farrel explained to the Board that the goal of the survey was "To figure the sensitivity to the tax, not what the tax rate is."