The School Board Candidates Forum held at Fillmore Middle School on Wednesday, September 24, 2014. The forum was arraigned by Fillmore Unified Teachers Association (FUTA) and California School Employee Association (CSEA) and conducted by FUSA President Jennifer Beal and Member Sandra Butts, CSEA Member Luanne Brock with Scott Lee was moderator and Bill Edmonds timekeeper.

The candidates included Scott Beylik, Michael Saviers and Sean Morris and the incumbent candidates included Lucy Rangel, Dave Wilde and Tony Prado. There were nine questions asked of each candidate, eight of those questions are in this report, four questions in last week’s Gazette edition; this week’s edition is running the last four questions (responses are not verbatim, what is written is a paraphrase of each person’s answer) with a closing statement from each at the end of the questioning.

Question (5) At last spring's Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) meetings, the most frequently raised concern by parents, teachers and community members was reducing class size. The district instead offered to convert more teaching positions into peer coaches, known as Teachers on Special Assignment (TOSA). Do you support pulling excellent teachers out of the classrooms to coach their peers or do you have other ideas?

Rangel; I do not support it. I think it can be handled in a different way. I'm totally against that."

Wilde; "I don't know how you can justify taking teachers out of the classroom. There are other ways to support weaker teachers in the classroom....We need to identify were the problems are."

Saviers; "Your first responsibility is to the students. If we can't afford to lower classroom size, we cant afford to send teachers other places."

Morris; "I support mentor systems, but there are other ways to go about it. It's always good to have a mentor...classroom size is important, it helps with education."

Prado; "I don't support pulling teachers from the classroom, but I support mentors...class size is important...especially at k-3rd...strive for 20 or less students per classroom. What we need to do is hold the teachers accountable, that they are effective, lowering the classroom size is effective.

Beylik; "No you don't pull the good teachers out of the classroom. There are three people sitting here (the incumbent candidates) who could have stopped it. I sat in board meetings biting my tongue...there are three sitting here saying they 'don't like it' then why did they let it happen?"

Question (6) Many elementary teachers and parents have expressed frustration with the Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) program, which currently requires food to be served in the classroom during educational time. Do you support reapplying for this grant if it cannot be modified to serve children in the cafeteria?
Wilde; "Until yesterday I was 100% pro, then I talked to teachers who are not in favor. My recommendation is teachers should decide."

Saviers; "Many come to school without breakfast....it should continue."

Morris; "As a parent we need to make sure our kids are fed. It takes longer than 15 minutes and creates extra work, less class time. I'd like to see the kids served before class."

Prado; "I don't like to see the kinds eat in the classroom...like to see them eat before class. Parents need to feed their children before they come to school."

Beylik; "If we can provide it without taking up education time....but I support it."

Rangel; "I support it."

Question (7) Secondary teachers have continually had to give up prep periods to cover other classes due to a shortage of substitute teachers. Some teachers have been called back from scheduled days out of the classroom due to the sub shortage. What is your plan to increase the number of quality substitute teachers available to FUSD.

Saviers; "The first thing to do is look at our pay scale...it should be close to what other districts are offering...give support to substitutes so they will return."

Morris; "(I)s there a high absentee ratio....Ask if the substitutes have done a good job...create a relationship with the (good) substitutes."

Prado; "The main point of the substitutes concern is money....what are other districts offering, we need to compete. Teachers can trade with each other."

Beylik; "We need to increase the salary of substitute teachers, which will create a larger pool that will allow the choice of better substitute teacher."

Rangle; "Raise substitutes pay five dollars more an hour, offer gas cards, free lunch...subs don't want unruly classes...teachers need to train the kids how to act with a substitute."

Wilde; "Teachers should help substitutes, drop into the class to offer help...teachers should give ideas on helping substitutes."

Question (8) How will you approach issues in which you disagree with the Superintendent, other district staff, or other Board Members?

Morris; "We all have disagreements....open, honest and starts with listening. Say what you'll do, do what you say....no gossip...speak truthfully."

Prado; "You make your point, then listen. Explain your point of view...it's a two way dialog. You spend a lot of time listening."

Beylik; "You need to agree to disagree....you build a relationship and have a relationship. Right now there are no relationships with the City Council and the School Board. With a relationship established you can move on."

Rangel; "If I have a disagreement, I'm very direct. Sometimes people are not happy with me....you have to stick to your guns...I have good relationships that I've built."

Wilde; "I'm always there....communication is the key."

Saviers; "Not all disagreement is bad. We can talk and share our point of view, listening is important. If someone feels strong about something, I'm willing to listen. Talk it out and listen."

Closing statements; Prado spoke from a prepared speech. Reminded everyone of his history with the district stating "We could use over a million (dollars) at each school....We need to seek our teachers advice...We need to restore the cuts taken in the past...Rather than tearing down our district, we need to support it."

Beylik; Focus on open communication, the importance to reach out to the community and be a service to the students. He was adamant that he would not be spoon fed by the administration and would speak with Sacramento or where every it is needed.

Rangel; Spoke of her accomplishments and achievements, stating "We must forget the past, move on to a brighter future" ending with "....trust more and question less."

Wilde; "The last couple of years have been traumatic....we failed in many areas...I hope to fix that...I look forward to the opportunity to fix the mistakes."

Saviers; "Things are turning around, we have a new Superintendent and some new Principals. I hope I can make a difference, bring a new perspective, work together as a community to provide our kids with a great education."

Morris; "We need to raise our standards....you have a dream and you reach for it....I've been part of this community...we will build trust, cooperation and have goals. We have beautiful children in this District."