Fillmore Unified School District

On Tuesday, September 6 2011 the Fillmore Board of Education met for a relatively brief meeting. Following the quiet public comment portion of the meeting the student representative from Fillmore High School Sammy Martinez reported on the goings on at the school and the preparations for Homecoming Week that will take place the week of September 19 with the final event, the Homecoming Football game on September 23.

Next Board Member Tony Prado kicked off Board reports speaking about Back to School Night at Piru Elementary School. “[It was] very well attended. The principal [Diana Vides] did a good job in explaining to the parents her goals, her vision, her mission…very interesting to hear that she would be very transparent… and [will make sure that] the School Site Council and ELAC [groups] understand school budgets.” Prado commented that he was impressed with her ability to easily switch back and forth between English and Spanish so as to communicate effectively with all of the families of Piru School. “Right now it looks like we have a … good leader at Piru.” Later in the meeting Assistant Superintendent Michael Johnson introduced Vides to the Board. When she addressed the Board she thanked them for the opportunity, as this is her first time serving as principal. “One of the reasons the superintendent took a chance on me is because I was a migrant child myself, my parents were migrant workers, and I’m proof that the system does work…one of the things my parents always instilled in me is that education is very important.” She went on to explain that she connects well with Piru families because not only does she speak the language but she “has the same values, my parents went through the same…struggles that they [are going] through…If you hold education highly anything is achievable. I hope to make a big difference at Piru.” Prado went on to reiterate what he said earlier and stated, “I was impressed and I hope that you provide the desperate leadership that Piru needs.”

Board Member Dave Wilde focused on the Agricultural Advisory Council meeting he attended. Reporting on the continuing plans of Fillmore Middle School to allow 4H to use 2 ½ acres for its program. He reported on the upgrading of the greenhouse at the High School and plans of Future Farmers of America (FFA) to “[build] a meat lab so kids [can] learn how to cut meat”, the revitalization of the park area around the house at the FFA property, and plans to use vegetables grown by the students in the schools cafeteria. He also reported on the presentation of a plaque to long time Fillmore resident and veterinarian Dr. Charles “Doc” Nelson DVM for his long time support and help treating the animals.

Starting off the Superintendents report was FUSD Director of Business Services Dr. Michael Bush, “Rio Vista is going vertical,” he stated referring to the new school being built behind the Bridges housing tract. The construction is now in the framing phase, “the iron is up and they’re starting to put up the wood.” Bush reported “we are continuing to struggle with air conditioners” it seems that several administrative units at the middle school, high school and district office are on the fritz. He explained that one time insurance money would be used for the needed repairs. Regarding the budget “ [our] audited actuals … are pretty much on track…where we thought it would be, the State continues to struggle, [no extra revenue coming in] and there will be some sort of mid year triggers, they’re trying to push some legislation through… it’s a zero sum game if the moneys not coming in at the top it can’t go out at the bottom, it does look like we are going to have mid year cuts this year.” Director of Human Resources Todd Schieferle spoke next, reporting “We have two [teaching] positions [available] … at the Middle School a resource teacher [position] is vacant, we have received a bunch of applications and we’ll be filling that ASAP.” And there is a position for an English teacher at Sierra High School they are working to fill. Assistant Superintendent in Ed Services, Michael Johnson reported, “We are continuing to address the curriculum… in the district.” In the next two weeks he will be meeting with the Curriculum Committee that is made up of representatives from every school in the District to “[focus on] more than just textbook adoption…we will be addressing some of the systemic areas…that relates to curriculum, environment in the school [and so on].” He reported on the progress of the Essential Standards Committee made up of mainly elementary school teachers. Johnson will be working with them to “continue the work that has already been started in the area of Essential Standards benchmarks and… assessments.” He reported on the progress of the Alternative Governance Board (AGB) “later on [the Board will get] a road map of where we are, the process… [The AGB will be meeting with the staff at the schools] to give them an orientation … their [school] plans are going to be revised to address essential program components called ‘EPCs’.” He informed the Board that they would be updated regularly on the process and progress of the AGB. Johnson also told the Board that all principals were encouraged to attend an ELD (English Language Development) Training Session “not a conference, but a session offered at the County.” There will be four sessions they will be attending. “I’m so happy to see the enthusiasm of all the elementary [school principals] who have volunteered to attend those training sessions. After all, 80% of our students are ELD students, so this will give additional skills and knowledge on how to reach [them].” Johnson also commented on the Ag Commission meeting “I enjoyed [the meeting] particularly the ribs.” All who attended that meeting agreed the ribs were a highlight. Interim Superintendent Dr. Alan Nishino finished up the report by saying, “[I am] really pleased that our staff is working to focus on what is good for our students… [So they] have the opportunity to be as successful as they can be. Our clients are our students, and that’s our focus.” He explained that his hope is that “when [students] graduate from [FUSD, they say] ‘boy, am I glad I came to Fillmore…I’m proud I’m a Fillmore graduate.”

All agenda action items were approved unanimously including an Unaudited Actual Budget from 2010-11. Future scheduled meetings are September 20, October 4, October 18, public portion of the meetings set to start at 6:30.

(View the School Matters Blog for more school info at www.fillmoregazette.com/school-matters)

Meeting Video