Board Member Lucy Rangel presents a Proclamation in Celebration of Distinguished Service as a Trustee of the Fillmore Unified School District to past members Tony Prado (above) and Dave Wilde (below) for their years of service to the District. Photos courtesy Todd Schieferle.

The Fillmore Unified School Board presented two Proclamations in Celebration of Distinguished Service as a Trustee of the Fillmore Unified School District to out-going Board Members Tony Prado and Dave Wilde.

Board Member Lucy Rangel spoke of Wilde’s four years of service, 2010-2014 and his “...wealth of knowledge” and knowing where to go and who to ask. Wilde has spent 44 years in the education field. Rangel also thanked Wilde’s wife Liz for all her support.

It was then Prado’s turn. Rangel began with, “Tony was instrumental in her running for the Board” and thanked him for the four terms he served, a total of 16 years. Prado responded, “I have always thought of myself as an activist, I’m always going to be one.” He gave a heartfelt goodbye as he commented on his concern for the students, especially those that are struggling and on the changes to FUSD such as two new schools during his time on the board.

Board Member Virginia de la Piedra added, “Being on the Board you’re going to clash with each other...it’s an exchange of ideas.....I thank you both, it’s been a lot of years you’ve put into this. Tony your heart was really in the interest of the students. I’ve really enjoyed you being here, especially this last year.”

Board Member John Garnica responded, “I appreciate both your contributions, thank you very much. We may have disagreed, but your heart was in the right place.”The Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Superintendent Adrian E. Palazuelos introduced the new courses for the 2015-16 academic year. They include; Introduction to Health Careers, Body Systems and Diseases, Agriculture Business and Economics, Beginning Studio Productions, Advanced Studio Productions, Math 2, Enhanced Math 2 and Math1B. During the 2015-16 academic year there will be an additional courses called “Pathway Courses” added to those above; Agricultural Science will be added to Agricultural Business and Economics, Patient Care and Public Service to Introduction to Health Care, Studio Production and Productions and Managerial Arts to Advanced Studio Productions, Systems Diagnosis Service and Repair, Systems Technology/Game and Simulators.

Palazuelos explained these classes are for jobs of the future, 10 to 20 years from today. He then told the Board that it would take a lot of work to obtain the materials needed to offer the classes and stated, “I am real excited with the classes coming on board.” These new classes will all match up with the Ventura County College curriculum and credits.

FUSD Finance Director Gary Hobelman then presented the Board with the First Interim Report on the district’s finances July1, 2014 through October 31, 2014. The total FUSD revenues for 2014-15 are $34,200,816 with expenditures at $35,417,144 (the $1,216,328 deficit is expected to decrease to $123,327 at the end of the 2015-16 academic year). Presently there are 3,773 students enrolled in FUSD, which averages a cost of $9,387 per student per academic year. This breaks down a cost of over $1,000 per month per student or $245 per week per child.

After the presentation Board Member Tony Prado asked Hobelman, “Where do you see in the budget the money to put away for a rainy day fund?” Hobelman responded that it is in the reserves and increases in the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF). The LCFF is Governor Brown’s new formula transferring money from wealthy areas, which get less, to school districts with large amounts of low income students.

Sacramento previously had a 3% cap on districts reserves, but Proposition 2, the Rainy Day Budget Stabilization Fund Act, which was passed by voters on November 4th of this year, increases that cap to 6% provided certain future conditions are met in Sacramento. The problem today is that since Prop 2 passed school districts are now required to account for monies that were previously kept on hand for dedicated or earmarked projects and not counted in the reserves, now those funds must be accounted for in the 6%. This basically boxes in a district reserves with greater restrictions on where and when monies can be used or saved.

Palazuelos told the Board with the rising cost of employee healthcare benefits he had concerns that there would be enough money in the reserve to cover the increase. Employee benefits, which includes healthcare, are today costing $7,985,279 per year. He also reminded the Board that FUSD must pay their debt service (monies owed or borrowed). Prado questioned if the money would be that stating that some financial annalists have projected another recession for 2016-17. Hobelman responded that is was something to consider, “The State has never had eight good years in a row.”

Board Member Dave Wilde, had questions about the new classes and stated, “We have to be out of compliance with Health.” To which Assistant Superintendent Martha Hernandez responded, “Health will be imbedded in the biology courses.”

Student Representative Irma Torres informed the Board of the most recent student activities. The Senior Ball was held on November 22 at the Veteran’s Memorial Building and currently ASB is has started the annual can food drive. Finals start in two week and this Friday, December 5th, the Marines are hosting a Pull-Up challenge during lunch to determine who is “Pull-Up King and Queen”. On Monday, December 8th, the Flashes Basketball Team will be facing Santa Paula.