The Fillmore Unified School Board of Education met on Tuesday, February 15 at Piru Elementary School for a regularly scheduled meeting. The evening began with a welcoming speech given by Piru Elementary School Associated Student Body president Angelica Orozco who also led the pledge of allegiance. ASB vice president Michael Sanchez presented each Board member with a school t-shirt.

The first speaker during public comment was Karen Torres who spoke regarding her concerns over how the “special services department [will be affected by budget cuts]… and how the department is being managed… there are services that my [child] and other children are [entitled to] to meet the needs of their individualized education that are not being met [by the District] I am told it’s because of funding.” Torres went to on express “There is a lot of focus in our community on football and pageants while some children graduate without being able to read, write or do basic math.” She expressed regret at seeing her own son struggle with reading and knows that there are other students whose “parents are not able to speak up for them.” She went on to ask that before the Board vote to reduce funding for student services or aids in the classroom that “[the Board] investigate the policies and procedures of our special services department, consult with teachers and parents to ensure [that available funding] is going to meet the needs of children [as required by law]. Torres volunteered to join a committee to ensure that such an investigation is “being done.”

Next the Board heard from Eva Magness, grandmother of a former FUSD student. Magness reported to the board that she was there to make sure the Board is aware that “ FUSD administrators are spending taxpayer dollars to delay or deny [her grandchild] the education that [he/she] is entitled to by law.” Magness told the Board of how her grandchild required hospitalization for an emotional breakdown and depression following an incident of bullying via text messaging. The family was communicating with administrators at the student’s school, and was told that the student would be receiving five hours of instruction per week while unable to attend school. “I want you to know that from November [2010] to today [her grandchild] receives not five hours of [instruction] but five to ten minutes a day, that is not an education.” She explains that her grandchild was an honor student, in advanced classes and in the end of January was ready and released by doctors to return to school. It is her position that “the administration is not interested in providing an education [to my grandchild] or is paralyzed in decision making.” She reports the school administration did not return phone calls until the family contacted an attorney. The school administrators suggested to the family that they could get a transfer to Moorpark “[since they] had more to offer in educational services.” Magness also emphasized that her daughter, the mother of the student was told by the school principal that she could petition the Superintendent for “some kind of consideration for transportation costs”. She read the education code to the Board “[Ed Code] reads a child is entitled to a free appropriate public education and related services. Precedent in court has said that transportation is considered a related service.” She asked the Board if they “really support an administration that seeks to deny this student the education they are entitled to?”. The only point of disagreement now, according to Magness, is who will pay the transportation costs? She left the Board with a request for assistance in resolving this matter, and if needed for it to be put on a future agenda for further public discussion.

Lynn Edmonds from One Step A La Vez in Fillmore gave a second brief presentation with several volunteers and staff members. They will be put on a future agenda so that they can present more information on the programs they provide to the youth of the community. They highlighted the high school mentor program, and a new drug and alcohol cessation program as well as services designed for families having any type of problem they need help with. All are encouraged to contact them for help.

Following public comment the Board held the required public hearings for receiving the initial proposals from the Fillmore Unified Teachers Association and the California School Employees Association.

Student Representative Sean Chandler reported on the many events coming up at the high school including Future Farmers of America tractor driving contest, a higher education day, Sadie Hawkins dance, the play “Totally Rad” will open in mid April and folks won’t want to miss the powder puff football game next month.

FUSD Special Students Populations Coordinator Jennifer Weir made a presentation to the Board on the programs and services offered to the migrant students. She reported that there are currently 550 students district wide who meet eligibility to benefit from the services and programs offered to students of migrant families who work in agriculture. Services range from summer school to a one-time (annual) emergency dental/health stipend.

The Board approved the district transfer form that was presented at the previous meeting. Superintendent Jeff Sweeney explained that the districts attorney had reviewed the language and she was comfortable with it. While there seems to be a discrepancy between the language in the form and the Board policy Sweeney explained to the Board that this allows for flexibility in certain circumstances. All other action items were approved.

The Board continued the discussion examining graduation requirements in an effort to create more “flexibility” in the budget. Bandleader Greg Godfrey was on hand to answer questions regarding the District offices proposal of allowing students to receive Physical Education credit for being in marching band. Sweeney emphasized that if the Board is interested in this, a new “course” would be created and approved by the Board and he stated that this idea did not originate with Godfrey but with the District office. Sweeney gave the Board a list of area high schools that grant PE credit for marching band. Godfrey reiterated that the intention is not to replace PE, but to allow more flexibility for those students who want to remain in band since currently a student is unable to take band all four years and meet all graduation requirements without taking summer or night school. Most on the Board expressed support for the idea stating that it seems to provide a choice to students. The Board requested to hear from PE staff and any other parties who want to speak on this issue before they make a decision.

Human Resources Director Todd Schieferle handed out a FUTA survey conducted by Jennifer Fitzpatrick, an English teacher at the High School, that got an unprecedented 50% response rate. The survey pertained to academic preferences related to the calendar and scheduling. Schieferle reported he is working to lay out the calendar for the next two years including “some contingency language.” Issues addressed in the survey included when breaks are scheduled, when school starts, and when any agreed upon furlough days are taken. The calendar is not yet finalized pending negotiations with FUTA and CSEA and thus was not released to the Board or public. Regarding having fall break during the week of Thanksgiving Board Member Tony Prado mentioned that he understood some teachers were wanting classes to take place on Monday and Tuesday of that week, but he wants to know “the teachers true intent of why they want to have instruction [on those days], are we trying to do what’s right for kids, or what’s best for teachers to make them feel better as they teach through the school year?” Long time District staff member Sheila Duckett was in attendance and spoke to Prado's concern “I think a lot of teachers would say [regarding those two days] instead of trying to find furlough days [elsewhere in the calendar]… those are your two furlough days.” Schieferle seconded and supported Duckett’s comment. Another nearly 20 year staff member currently at the middle school Luanne Brock commented “It would really be nice to get the parents input …I would hope that if we were leaning [toward changing the break schedule] we would somehow advance notice parents… keeping them in the loop is really important.”

More dismal budget news was reported from Assistant Superintendent Mike Bush. First he reminded the Board of the over $4.5 million that has been cut from FUSD’s budget over the last three years. Bush stated “[we’ve already cut] the low hanging fruit [the easy stuff]…in [2010-11] we began seriously cutting our services to students…our options are becoming very few.” There are still several contingencies, and the District needs to start planning for the possibilities, at worst planning for a nearly $3.6 million budget reduction for next school year. Bush indicated that a special board meeting will be needed to focus on the budget. Schieferle presented the plans for lay off notifications. “Due to timelines, certificated employees come first.” He stated that the goal of the process is to “[give] the Board maximum flexibility to make decisions for the Governors proposals and budget contingency plan… we’re not going to know until June.” He stated “the first phase, last week, all cabinet members received notice of the possibility of being reassigned to an alternative administrative position [for next year].” He let the Board know that at the next meeting he will present a resolution that will “notice all administrators at all sites…” and that he recommends holding a “special Board meeting [on March 8] to discuss all certificated positions needing to be noticed… teachers, counselors, psychologists and coordinators…You might see administrators names on there as well…[they may] be going back to the classroom.” He explained that this would allow notices to go out prior to spring break staying in accordance with the state education code. “Classified employee lay offs would need to be addressed at the April 15th regular Board meeting in order to give school day only employees 45 day notice prior to the last day of school.” Other activities taking place include a “rush through with the seniority list [for teachers]…working with the FUTA president each site will have a roster” ensuring that it is accurate. The only comment or question from the Board at this time came from Prado asking, “To what extent will this be discussed in open session versus closed session [since we are] discussing personnel?” Bush responded, “All the actions will have to be taken in open session. Keep in mind we don’t discuss individuals we discuss the positions…All of that is open in open session. We will have to have a very frank budget discussion.” Bush did remind the Board that they have been building a “bridge, so when we are talking of having a [certain] revenue limit, we don’t need to [cut that full amount] because we set money aside… [We’ve always looked at the three year plan] my recommendations will still be look at your three year plan… depending on what happens in June.” He went on to emphasize, “It will need to be a very public discussion.”

The Board adjourned to February 22nd at 6:30.