On March 5th, 2024, Fillmore Unified School District Superintendent Christine Schieferle, Fillmore High School Principal Keith Derrick, and California State University Channel Islands President Dr. Richard Yao signed a Memorandum of Understanding that provides opportunities for Fillmore High students seeking to attend college.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishes a guaranteed admission program to California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) and makes the process of preparing for and attending college more streamlined, affordable, and accessible to all Fillmore High School (FHS) students. This year alone, 41 Fillmore High seniors were accepted to CSUCI. The MOU will increase that number in the future by providing a clear path to college with more resources, guidance, and opportunities outlined in the MOU and provided by both FUSD and CSUCI.

The conversations regarding the development of a MOU began over a year ago, when Superintendent Schieferle met CSUCI President Yao. Always working to fulfill one of Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) governing board’s goals of creating more partnerships with business, colleges, and universities, Superintendent Schieferle began the process of working with President Yao, CSUCI staff, FUSD staff, FHS Principal Derrick, and FHS staff to develop this opportunity for Fillmore High students.

“This MOU and new relationship demonstrates CSUCI’s commitment to the students in Fillmore and Piru,” said FUSD Superintendent Christine Schieferle. “This commitment to the FUSD community validates to our students that CSUCI believes in them and will offer the support necessary to see them accomplish their goals. This makes college a reality for our students before they graduate from high school.”

Schieferle said the district is grateful for President Yao’s vision and FUSD is committed to providing a rigorous college preparatory program for high school students; making sure students meet CSU admission requirements; promote CSUCI programs and services to parents and students; and share data about FUSD students with CSUCI.

In addition to providing a dedicated admissions counselor, CSUCI will also offer on-the-spot admission to Fillmore High students. This means that whenever CSUCI representatives visit Fillmore High, students may bring their transcripts and could be provisionally admitted to CSUCI that same day.

FHS Principal Keith Derrick said, “Through the commitments outlined in this MOU, our graduates will have a chance to access a high-quality, affordable college education close to home. We are excited to work with CSUCI to enhance our students’ success and future options. This agreement is an important investment in the young people of our community.”
The Fillmore Unified School District will also become a California College Guidance Initiative partner institution, with a task force and dedicated point-person, who will carry out the terms agreed upon in the MOU.’