The regularly scheduled Fillmore Unified School Board of Education meeting took place on Tuesday, May 17, 2011. The Board had to relocate to the Sespe Auditorium to accommodate those present for the first item of business, recognizing the students and coaches who participated in the Migrant Speech, Spelling and Debate Tournament.
FUSD Special Populations Coordinator Jennifer Weir presented certificates to coaches and students for their accomplishment.

FUSD has been participating in the tournament since 2006. The program has expanded and this year every school in the District participated.

On April 2, 2011, at the Marriott Hotel in Ventura 34, fourth and fifth graders participated in the Speech and Spelling Tournament resulting in four spelling team winners and seven speech winners. On April 30, 2011 twenty students in grades six through twelve competed in the Speech and Debate Tournament held at Santa Paula High School with FUSD taking 11 wins in Speech and one Debate Team win. Those who came in first went on to the Statewide Migrant Speech and Debate Tournament held on May 14, 2011 at Ventura High School. Four students from FUSD competed, and three were awarded trophies in recognition of their speeches.

First place Speech and Debate winners who went on to the State competition were Rocio Zavala, 6th Grader from Piru Elementary, Coach-Claudia Cornejo; Viridiana Quintana, Fillmore Middle School, Coach-Kayce Betzel; Banely Arevalo and Daniela Valdovinos from Fillmore High School, Coach-Jennifer Fitzpatrick. The fourth and fifth grade students who placed first, second or third and received a trophy in Speech and Spelling are: From Piru Elementary School- Luis Piceno, Eduardo Amezcua, Norberto Armenta, Francisco Jimenez, Coaches-Randy Garcia, Delia Silva, Kristina Renelli: From San Cayetano Elementary School- Stephanie Magana, Coach-Tammy Ferguson: From Sespe Elementary School, Eric Gonzalez, Coach-Beverly Garnica: From Mountain Vista Elementary School- Adrian Alcala, Mirey Avila, Lina Mendez, Alejandro Rojas, Alejandro Rodriguez, Daniel Mendoza, Gina Munoz, Daylene Valdez, Briana Vargas, Juan Villegas, Coaches- Raina Arellano, Mary-Allyn Garcia, Tricia Gradias (all participants and some winning speeches will be posted at www.fillmoregazette.com/school-matters). Board President Virginia De La Piedra presented Fillmore High School Senior Arturo Luna with the award for Migrant Student of the Year. De La Piedra read, “[this award is presented to a student] who exhibits exceptional leadership, maintains a grade point average of 3.5 or better and plans to continue their education and involvement in their school and community.” De La Piedra went on to read Luna’s impressive accomplishments and activities, “He plays on the varsity football team, works in the cafeteria and is the Sergeant of Arms in MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan or Chicano Student Movement of Aztlan) club.” He is also a mentor to younger students in the District and helps at the after-school migrant homework center and “…is a natural mediator among his peers.” She reported that he plans to attend college and is the son of Pedro and Lourdes Luna and has four siblings. Luna accepted the award to loud applause and he stated, “If it was not for my family and community I would not be here, so thank you.”

Next parent Ernesto Quintana was presented with the award for Migrant Parent of the Year for his dedication and support of the program. He was unable to attend, but his wife accepted on his behalf.

The crowd had thinned by the time the Board heard from County Superintendent Stanley Mantooth and Associated Superintendent of Educational Services Sandi Shackelford. Mantooth explained “it is not a normal function of our duties” but that they do generally make themselves available to assist in recruiting and retaining new superintendents. He reported they currently are working to fill or have filled six superintendent or interim superintendent positions in the County, that is six including FUSD. Shackelford presented the Board with three possible options that their office recommends for moving forward with the recruitment process to replace retiring Superintendent Jeff Sweeney, who was not present.

Option one is to “immediately initiate a process to recruit and select a new district superintendent.” She explained that with this option they would want to fill the vacancy no later than October 1, 2011, they would need to name a current “internal staff member” as “acting superintendent…starting July 1”. She went on to indicate “the timing for this option is not optimal…the best recruitment period for superintendents generally starts late winter or very early spring.”

Option two is to “immediately initiate a process to recruit and select a long term interim district superintendent.” The County currently has a list of retired superintendents who are interested in both long (usually about a year) and short-term (a few months) positions. This would allow the District to keep current staff in their roles, have an interim superintendent during recruitment of a permanent superintendent next winter when the timing is optimal.

Option three is to “Simultaneously initiate two selection processes.” Beginning with the process of finding a short-term superintendent, who would serve until the new superintendent starts, approximately October 1, 2011. And at the same time recruit a new permanent superintendent.

Shackelford let the Board know that it usually takes two to three months to move through the entire process for recruiting a permanent superintendent, while finding an interim takes less time. She explained that usually school boards choose an interim superintendent without input from an advisory committee, as opposed to hiring a permanent superintendent, which generally involves input from an advisory committee. In both cases the Board makes the final decision.

According to information in the packet received by Board members “Interim superintendents operate with the same authority and responsibilities as if they were under a long-term contract.” The document also explains, “[having a long term interim in place for a year] provides search firms/consultants time to identify and recruit highly qualified candidates for the Board to consider.” This item was a discussion/information item on the agenda; both Mantooth and Shackleford were asked to join the Board in closed session for further discussion.

Also at meeting, during public comment, the Board heard from several classified staff members including Leticia Vasquez who read the first portion of a statement prepared by the President of the Fillmore chapter of CSEA (California School Employee Association) Lola Rogers. The Board was presented with a “salary schedule [showing] the sacrifices [those listed] are taking…When I look at it and consider what the classified staff have sacrificed over the past several years, it does, to put it mildly, upset me.” She explained that CSEA is aware of the needs for cuts, and the possible need for furlough days but they do not agree with the “Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) regarding the layoff[s], and we will continue to fight it.”

Rogers then addressed the Board, “I applaud [those CSEA members who are here tonight] however there are so many who will not speak up for fear of losing their job. They are afraid of retaliation and intimidation.” Rogers reminded the Board of Beverly Jones brought in by Sweeney last year as interim Personnel Director. She spoke of the difference between the negotiating environment then, working with Jones and now “I literally speak to a lawyer.” She went on to comment on the struggle to schedule negotiating meetings with the District’s attorney and according to Rogers “the attorney cancelled a meeting we were supposed to have today (May 17).”

She then informed the Board that this is Classified Employees Week and asked the classified staff in attendance to stand. An estimated 25 (with more in the hallway) individuals stood to applause.

CSEA member Vince Cobb, district mechanic, addressed the Board and presented them with a list of 36 large vehicles he maintains and repairs. Cobb is responsible for maintenance and repairs of these vehicles and has received a layoff notice. He pointed out to the Board the small number of vehicles that are under warranty, as this was brought up to the Board by District staff during the discussion and decision making process regarding his lay-off being approved. Cobb reminded the Board of the costs associated with buses breaking down, even when under warranty.

He stated, “16 out of 25 vehicles [none of those 25 under warranty] are over ten years old.” He also informed the Board on work he does that is outside the scope of maintaining vehicles; this includes welding work he had done including “the scoreboard…[and] hand rails on Sierra High handicap ramps.”

He educated the Board about why maintenance workers should not be expected to work on vehicles “a black wire in maintenance is power, a black wire [for me] is ground, mix them up and see what you burn up.”

Cecelia Licon an FUSD certified school bus driver “since 2003 and very proud of it” spoke in support of Cobb. She stated, “[eliminating his position would] affect the school bus drivers …and others as well [who] depend on his knowledge [and skill] in improvising to get the job done.” She spoke emotionally about the possibility of her job being affected by his layoff and the negative affect on her family. Licon asked the Board, “What if you were in our position, what type of solution [to the need for cuts] would you come up with?”

The Board also heard from Luanne Brock, a staff member at Fillmore Middle School who cited data based on the “[district] rehire list.” She informed the Board that since 2009 and including recommended reductions for the 2011-12 school year a total of 75 classified positions have “either [been] reduced or eliminated…I believe it is accurate to say that no other employee groups within [FUSD] have suffered the number of cuts classified employees have experienced.” She reminded the Board that many of these cuts were to positions that were funded by categorical money, and were reduced or eliminated “due to lack of funds as indicated in Board approved Resolutions. Yet over the past several years, numerous sites found themselves in the position of having large amounts of surplus categorical funds to spend at the end of the year. Those monies were spent on technology…we need to put people not things as our priority.”

The Board also heard from FUSD staff members Sheila Duckett and Jan Faulkner on issues related to classified staff.

Also during public comment Juan Toledo, Fillmore resident and parent of two students at Sespe Elementary School, spoke to the Board in support of Principal Rosemarie Hibler. He spoke of the “circle of education” which includes all of the stakeholders and interested parties in the education of FUSD students and the importance of the environment that Hibler creates at Sespe School, and the importance of having a “bilingual and bicultural [principal to make all parents and families feel welcome at school].” He presented a petition of 182 signatures of Sespe School parents who do not want to lose their principal.

Toledo reported, “This was a parent driven petition, in fact Ms. Hibler was not even aware [of this petition].” He asked the Board to reconsider the layoff notice issued to Hibler. Another Sespe parent in support of Hibler, Maria Hernandez, presented her request to the Board for a “[re-evaluation of] Ms. Hiblers’ [layoff notice]…Her joyful spirit inspires parents and students to be more involved in school…Fillmore needs happy kids to bring life back to Fillmore.” She stated that Hibler creates a happy environment at Sespe that leads to academic achievement.

Following public comment De La Piedra stated, “I hope that you believe that [my comments] are heartfelt, but it is, regardless of whether you believe it or not. I know you are the heart and soul of the District…I do [think about it] as if it were me…Over 80% of what we get [goes to people]…cutting some saves others.”

For the budget update the Board heard from Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Michael Bush regarding the May revise of the budget that the State issued this week. He reported that while “revenues are up” any final budgets are dependant on “a November ratification of four republicans voting for extending some taxes.” Bush explained, “In short I know nothing more than I knew a week ago.” School Boards have been advised to wait on rescinding any layoff notices.

All action items were approved unanimously. Board Member Lucy Rangel requested a future discussion on the “roles and responsibilities of School Site councils”. The Board set the following dates for meetings: May 24 (Accelerated Reader Study Session), May 31 (tentative joint meeting at Fillmore City Hall), June 14, June 21, June 28, all public meetings at 6:30pm.