Fillmore Unified School District

The first Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting of the 2016-2017 school year began with heartfelt eulogy by Board President Virginia de la Piedra addressing the loss of Fire Chief Rigo Landeros, "If you knew him, you knew he impacted your life." She spoke of Landeros' positive impact on Fillmore and the board members themselves. Board Member Sean Morris spoke of how their paths had crossed at Rotary Club where Morris was President just before Landeros took over that position. Landeros was very helpful when two Rotary Clubs merged and "strong minds" were present stating "Rigo always showed concern....he'd be there, he'd help you." Board Member Lucy Rangel said she remembers having Landeros as a 6th grade student and that you just knew he was going places and how he will be missed. Superintendent Dr. Adrian Palazuelos commented that Landeros was the first person to introduce him to Fillmore and remarked of his genuine honesty and warmth. At the end of giving their thoughts, de la Piedra asked everyone in the room to stand for a minute of silence in recognition. As the meeting continued, de la Piedra holding back tears and visibly upset, Palazuelos stepped up for a few minutes until de la Piedra gained her composure and she continued chairing the meeting.

The first item presented was recognition of Fillmore High School Drama Class teacher Josh Overton and his students Fatima Bazurto, Israel Brooks, Trysten Riddle and Nicholas Podada for their 2015 performance of The Rainmaker. Also recognized, but not in attendance were Blake Paloiso and Rachel Rivera.

During the Superintendent Report Palazuelos spoke of the resources coming from Sacramento, which he stated are good at present, but the coming years may be lean. Palazuelos emphasized that money must be reserved for the possibility of "resources getting tight" and the need to prioritize..."Right now things are positive, but that could change in a minute."

In the Governor's Budget Update, presented by Assistant Superintendent Andrea McNeill, it stated that California's "(E)conomic growth is much stronger than in the past years, but Governor Jerry Brown highlights the risk of a recession." Proposition 30 which temporarily raised taxes is about to sunset and regarding the increased education cost "We need to prepare for a slowdown while at the same time advocate for higher funding to continue to move at least the national average." This apprehension regarding school funding is due to the continued rising cost of healthcare and other contract cost increases. McNeill displayed a graph of Proposition 98 and its impact over the past years. Prop 98 was passed 28 years ago, in the1988 election, which created a funding guarantee for K-12 classrooms and community colleges and became part of the California Constitution. The problem is the cost of education has increase tremendously since then and there is more to funding a state's needs than just education. In the last eight years costs have risen from $49.2 billion a year during the 2008-2009 class year to $71.6 billion this 2016-2017 school year; a $22.4 billion a year increase.

The next agenda item McNeill discussed was the Financial Audit and a letter regarding Proposition 39 General Obligation Bond (GOB) Performance. Within the text of Prop 39 there are various accountability requirements, including an annual independent performance audit along with an independent financial audit.

The financial audit preformed by Nigro & Nigro notes matters where there is an opportunity for FUSD to strengthen internal controls and operating efficiencies, but overall showed FUSD had implemented all the requirements needed to solve the problems cited in the 2014 audit and looks to be performing properly.

Proposition 39 passed in November 2000 and was cited as the Smaller Classes, Safer Schools and Financial Accountability Act, requires both the audits mentioned. The goal of the proposition was class size reduction, an increase in technology learning tools such as computers and the internet and accountability to insure funds are spent prudently and meet the community's needs. The GOB money can be used to furnish and equip schools, construction, rehabilitation or replacement of school facilities, but prohibits the use of bond money for salaries or operating expenses. Its goal was open transparency and its passage triggered an accompanying legislation, AB 1908, which requires an "Independent Citizens Oversight Committee to oversee where the funds are spent."

The Obligation Bond Performance audit, is being completed by Vicenti, Lloyd and Stutzman, Business Consultants and CPA's who sent a letter explaining that FUSD "did not expend Measure E bond funding during the fiscal year" and the audit requires an Independent Citizen's Oversight committee no later than March 31 to present the findings.

The term "general obligation" regarding bonds, is a property tax increase necessary for the payment of a bond. AB 1908 has limitations on the increases tax based on the type of school district. FUSD can propose bonds that increase taxes by $30 per $100,000 of assessed value and districts may propose another bond to voters in each election.

The next item discussed was the addition of some new classes. Palazuelos thanked Assistant Superintendent Martha Hernandez for her efforts which were instrumental in implementing the three new courses being added to Fillmore High School in 2016-17: Ag Business Management, Ag Soil Chemistry and AP Environmental Science.

The Ag Business Management course description states it is a "capstone course for the four year sequence of courses in the Agriscience of Ag Mechanics pathways...includes an introduction to ag economics, ag finance and accounting, business etiquette, career development skills such as resumes, letter of introduction, applications, leadership and operating an entrepreneurial program or working in the industry.

Agriculture and Soil Chemistry has Math 1 as a co-requisite and three pre-requisites: Agriculture 1, Ag Mechanics 1, Biology/Ag Biology. The course description states; explores the physical and chemical nature of soil as well as the relationship between soil, plants, animals and agriculture practices.

The AP Environmental Science has a requirement of completion of biology or honors biology and chemistry, physics or integrated science. The course description states; to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and man-made, to evaluate the relative risk associated with these problems and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and or preventing them.