Board Member Liz Wilde chaired the open session of the Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board meeting November 18, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room at the District Office. The Board heard updates from the Sespe Elementary School and Piru Elementary School Principals, and honored Lou Hoover. The Board approved field trips, math textbooks, and a Use of Facilities Agreement with Ventura College.

The Board honored Sespe Elementary School’s Cafeteria Manager, Lou Hoover, for exemplifying the District’s motto: “Be the Change”. Principal Geri Lunde introduced the honoree, and said that she provided not only great food, but also great care of the cafeteria, staff, and students. The students call her “Grandma Lou”.

Sespe Principal Geri Lunde and Piru Principal Richard Durborow provided updates on plans to improve student academic achievement and parent outreach.

Lunde emphasized her successful attempts to increase parent involvement. The school has reached out to English Learners' parents by holding English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) meetings monthly at 8 a.m. The meetings include information on how parents can help their children learn. At past meetings, parents have received handouts on how to read aloud to their children and how to help children be responsible. Recent meetings have had a turnout of approximately twenty parents. The next ELAC meeting at Sespe will be in January. School Site Council meetings have also provided education for parents.

Sespe teachers have been trained in using ADEPT to test English Learners, so that they can acquire current information about their students’ English proficiency and meet students' needs now rather than waiting a year for CELDT test results.

Durborow presented three strategies that Piru Elementary School is using to improve student learning: data teams, rubrics and exemplars, and identifying academic terms in math. Durborow noted that his third strategy is intended to improve scores on standardized math tests. He said that students who lack math vocabulary often have difficulty understanding and answering math questions even if they know how to solve the problems.

Piru teachers are collaborating in data teams. They use the allocated time to discuss student achievement data, review best practices, share ideas, and develop new strategies.

Durborow explained Piru's use of rubrics and exemplars. Rubrics are systematic lists that correlate score levels with detailed descriptions of (or standards for) work at each level. Rubrics provide a standard scoring method that allows for comparison of student progress. In the example Durborow gave, a Score of 2.5 is associated with the description, "There are no major errors or omissions regarding the simpler details and processes, and partial knowledge of the more complex ideas and processes." Rubrics are sometimes used to provide objectivity when grading essays, short answers, classroom participation, etc. Piru teachers are collaborating to develop their own rubrics. Exemplars are samples of student work that help people to understand the descriptions in a rubric. Rubrics with exemplars clarify expectations, and promote good communication between teachers and students. Durborow explained, "Examples of student work are placed in the classroom and act as guides to facilitate independent work habits and the successful completion of assignments at higher levels of proficiency." Durborow said that self-assessment is a powerful way to improve student learning. Teachers at all grade levels at Piru are using rubrics and exemplars, and Durborow expects all Piru teachers to be using them soon.

Durborow mentioned that school safety is much improved from when he started working at Piru years ago. He also mentioned that a Piru teacher wants to teach English to English Learners' parents; the administration is setting up a night class.

The Board approved a Use of Facilities Agreement with a customized fee schedule for Ventura College (VC). For Spring Semester 2009, VC will pay nothing for classes meeting during the regular school day, and will pay $6 per hour per room for all other classes. For Fall Semester 2009 and thereafter, VC will pay nothing for classes meeting during the regular school day, will pay $12 per hour per room for non-credit classes, and will pay for credit classes based on the percentage of Fillmore High School (FHS) students participating. For credit classes in which less than 25% of enrolled students are FHS students, VC will pay $12 per hour per room. For credit classes in which at least 25% but less than 50% of enrolled students are FHS students, VC will pay $9 per hour per room. For credit classes in which more than 50% of enrolled students are FHS students, VC will pay $6 per hour per room. VC classes usually have at least 15 students. FHS staff is expected to be present to provide physical access to the campus and necessary classrooms, but a key will be provided to a VC employee for use when FHS staff is not available. Because there is some employee overlap between FHS and VC, this is not expected to cause any problems.

The Board approved alternative payment for the Use of Facilities Agreement with ELITE Dance Studios. The Studios will provide $5800 worth of repairs and improvements to the FUSD Theatre to cover the facilities fees, which would have amounted to approximately $4000.

The Board discussed the $30 million bond for facilities improvement. $10 million has already been spent, and the District will have to prioritize the remaining projects. The Board and advisory staff discussed Piru Elementary's roof, air conditioning (a/c) at FHS, after-hours security at FHS, and overdue painting. FUSD staff has a proposed solution for the a/c problems that have plagued FHS for years. The solution is estimated to cost less than $240,000, not including asbestos abatement costs which are undetermined. Mike Bush explained that a/c is an important issue by relating FHS Teacher Dave Wilde's description of how the current window box unit interferes with education: students cannot hear the teacher when the unit is on, and gradually become too hot to pay attention when the unit is off, so the teacher spends the class period turning the a/c on and off as necessary to keep students learning.

The Board approved a field trip request by Cheerleading Coach Trina Tafoya. The advanced squad will be competing at the American Grand Championships in Las Vegas this December. Tafoya noted that Fillmore is recognized as a top-notch competitor, and defeated Oxnard and Saint Bonaventure last year.

The Board approved an overnight field trip request from Piru Teachers Delia Silva and Claudia Cornejo. Thirty-four Fifth Graders will attend a four-day Science Camp at The Outdoor School. Students will learn about Chumash Indian culture, ecology, geology, wildlife biology, astronomy, and botany, through hands-on direct experiences with nature.

The Board adopted a new Employee Security policy that allows employees to carry pepper spray for their own safety on school property only when students are not present. The policy states: "On a case-by-case basis, the Superintendent or designee may allow such possession when students are present if justified by unusual dangerous circumstances. Any employee who is negligent or careless in the possession or handling of pepper spray shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary measures."

Assistant Superintendent Mike Bush presented a budget update. The Governor has proposed a mid-year State budget cut. Education is expected to be drastically cut. FUSD's 2008-2009 budget will probably be reduced by $1.2 million. FUSD had not allocated all of the increased categorical funding, which the recently passed budget unexpectedly provided, because Bush had warned that cuts were expected. Those funds will help cover the $1.2 million reduction. The remaining $877,400 gap can be covered by one-time funding sources, such as carryover from last year. No one knows whether next year's budget will require similar cutbacks. FUSD will implement cautionary measures: carefully evaluating conference costs; freezing unrestricted budgets to ensure that there is always enough cash to cover payroll; and building next year's budget from the bottom up, adding programs to core services only if affordable.

Superintendent Jeff Sweeney stated that the emergency earthquake disaster drill was well orchestrated between the City and the District. Highlights included special effects makeup on ‘injured’ children and a helicopter landing. Liz Wilde was impressed by the order that Sespe teachers maintained in their students.

Board Member Virginia De La Piedra mentioned that the military banners project is ready to go. Some applications have already been accepted. The banners, designed to honor individual Fillmore residents who are actively serving in the military, will be hung downtown starting this holiday season.

Student Representative Garrett Reilley informed the Board that there have been many substitute teachers at FHS lately due to WASC visitation meetings. Sweeney complimented FHS on its open and honest dialogue with the WASC accreditation visitors. FHS is having a Serve Day this Saturday: students will complete various campus-enhancing projects, some involving paint.

The Board approved the 2008-2012 Local Plan for Career Technical Education, which fulfills State Plan requirements and requirements of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Grant.