On Tuesday, April 26, 2011 all seats were filled for a special meeting of the Fillmore Unified School District Board of Education. In addition to public comment just two items were on the agenda, graduation tickets and a budget discussion including prioritizing with a welcome opportunity to rescind some notices.

In public comment the Board heard first from Sheila Duckett, Fillmore resident and computer lab instructor at San Cayetano Elementary school reporting “There are several classified employees, [myself] included who find themselves drifting afloat at sea, [we are] puzzled and are trying to come to a decision…based on the information as we know it.” She went on to explain that several classified employees received their 45-day notice following the recent Resolution passed by the Board. She explains that the one day of negotiations set for May 4 with the classified union (CSEA) will be inadequate “This is not a one day process, it will take days of planning, calling people, verifying seniority [and so on].” Duckett also explains that due to missed or looming deadlines several employees feel forced to make a decision regarding retirement or opting for possible layoff which can affect retirement benefits. All this prior to any negotiations taking place and that “The delay in starting the negotiation process has contributed to the sinking ship that some of us classified people find [ourselves] on.” Next for public comment Kassaundra Chambers a first grade teacher at San Cayetano Elementary School reported some data to the Board to demonstrate “what the classified staff has helped us achieve this year in implementing the RTI [intervention program].” She stated that 16 out of her 23 students are reading at grade level or “proficient” and “that is the highest number [she’s] ever had.” She explained “I have taught for 16 years… there are more students coming out of my classroom this year …that are at or above grade level standards and I really think that is in large part due to Sheila [Duckett] and other classified staff that have enabled us to implement the RTI so successfully at our school.” Duckett has reportedly received a layoff notice from the District. Tammy Ferguson a first grade teacher at San Cayetano, teaching in the district for ten years who also has two children in FUSD schools stated “we can’t do our job without the support staff”…programs…services [for our students] are starting to dwindle because of the state of the budget… when you are making decisions… [Remember without the students] there is no need for me and there is no need for you…they are the most important [thing].”

The Board moved to Sespe Auditorium so all in attendance would have seats for the first action item on the agenda, the proposal to use tickets for all spectators at this years Fillmore High School graduation ceremony. Several students, parents and others came to ask the Board to reconsider the proposed plan for this year. Seniors on hand wondered at the lack of communication and even suggested that some of their senior funds could be used for more bleachers if needed. They were reminded that this would not deal with the exit capacity nor put a dent in the nearly $30,000 that it could cost to accommodate a larger crowd making changes for emergency exit access. Principal John Wilbur brought forward the plan in a response to safety concerns following last year’s graduation and the 100th Game with Santa Paula. During Bush’s update on the history of this issue he informed the public “[According to Chief Landeros last year graduation] was unsafe. The facility was beyond capacity; all the exits [and aisles] were blocked. Chief Landeros [was considering] whether or not to close graduation [at that time] and empty out the aisles.” The District does not want that to happen this year, Chief Landeros has been clear that safety is their primary interest and that while the District does have options for expanding capacity for seating and emergency exit access, once that capacity is reached the doors will be closed, making it possible that some waiting family members would not get in at all. Wilbur has come under fire from some parents and students who wonder why they are just hearing about this plan five weeks before graduation. Wilbur takes full responsibility for the timing, offered an apology, and an affirmation that he thinks the plan will work out. The plan as presented made space for 2000 spectators in the bleachers which means each senior would be guaranteed seven tickets, leaving about 400 tickets for families to apply for if needed. Wilbur commented that a “change in culture” regarding graduation may need to take place in Fillmore. Ideas presented included not bringing young children to the event, or having non-family members watch a live broadcast of the event from home. The Board was reminded that some families have already spent as much as $300 on graduation announcements, which indicate that recipients are invited to the ceremony and that limiting families to seven tickets may mean choosing between grandparents. Most parents in attendance emphasized that it is not the tickets they oppose but the short notice and wish they had been told sooner. The Board made no inquiry as to why there was such a long delay in communicating the plan to parents since the District was notified of the issue as early as the end of last school year, and again just following the 100th Game last fall. The District sees tickets as a way to ensure that families of graduating seniors have the seats they want. The Board voted to table the proposal with directions given to Wilbur to obtain accurate numbers. Seniors will be bringing home a letter in the next few days asking families how many tickets they would need to accommodate their family. The Board will use this information to work with staff, parents and safety officials to develop a plan.

The Board began its budget discussion by examining the Districts Mission, Vision and Goals. Part of the Mission states “To ensure that each student will develop the skills and attitudes essential for success in school and in a diverse society.” The Vision of FUSD when all parts of the mission are achieved is “Rooted in tradition and committed to excellence, FUSD works collaboratively with parents and the community to empower students to succeed in an ever-changing world.” Some of the goals the Board laid out last year are “Improve the achievement of all students…Provide the highest quality staff…helping all staff improve and grow…through performance evaluation… Increase parent outreach, parent involvement. Improve communication within the school district and with parents and community partners.” The Board then continued it’s ongoing examination of the Budget and determining where to plan for additional reductions should they be needed when information from the State becomes available. The discussion was focused solely on general fund or “unrestricted” monies and did not deal with categorical funding that must be spent on specific programs. Bush informed the public and Board that the “painters” who were recently noticed were funded by a particular program which has lost funding and principals have lost certain support services that were also part of categorical funds which have dried up. Categorical budgets will come later from the State and Federal governments. Bush presented several categories of suggested reductions made by Superintendent Jeff Sweeney based on different scenarios hinging on the outcome of the State budget process. Certain cuts were suggested if no further reductions are required, these include eliminating the position Director of Special Projects, losing two high school teachers (this is due to declining enrollment of 65 students this year) and one High School Assistant Principal which will be replaced by a part time Dean. Cuts recommended in the event of $349 per pupil reduction included five additional furlough days, eliminating a mechanic position, and further reducing site budgets by $31,000. The longer list of suggested reductions for the scenario of a $620 per pupil cut included one cabinet position ($150,000), raising class size at the middle and high school levels ($117,000) which means reducing teachers, pulling general fund support for libraries ($86,653), cutting a counselor, elementary music teacher, athletic director and so on. The Board was given two documents; one was a list of all positions that have been noticed totaling a reduction of over $4 million and representing deliberate over-noticing to provide flexibility. According to Bush recent shifts in Sacramento indicate a somewhat lowered expectation of the “doomsday” or worst-case scenario. When the Board began discussion, all expressed support for not eliminating the music teacher, athletic director or general funding of libraries and those items were moved to the “don’t touch” list. In order to offset those changes, the Board opted to allow for the elimination of class size reduction at the secondary (high school and middle school) level, meaning they authorized increasing class size by two if that scenario ($620 per pupil cut) is handed down by the State. That does mean a loss of teachers at the middle and high school level. Sweeney reminded the Board that they have a bit of good news in that they are in the position to rescind some layoff notices if they agree with his recommended “don’t touch” items. The Board agreed with all of them except to allow class size to increase at the secondary level. These “don’t touch” items include “Site Administration ($807,396.52), class size reduction ($580,890), two assistant principals ($235,133), special education coordinator ($114,568), Zangle support ($80,923), data specialist ($79,059). These changes bring the budget within $80,000 of where it needs to be which according to Bush in a $30 million budget “is close.” He reminded that Board that due to the cuts they have been making in recent years FUSD is “financially sound for three years…few of your colleagues [(other school boards) can say the same thing.]” Board President Virginia De La Piedra did allow some comments from the public to be heard which reminded the Board about the other information that was presented at previous meetings such as costs of computer programs and the School Resource Officer. Staff member Luane Brock indicated that many feel they could forgo a computer program if it helps save library hours and services. Board member Tony Prado again brought up the ‘Duckett Proposal’ of across the board salary reductions and asked if union leadership had brought any such proposals to the District. This proposal was presented during public comment on April 19 2011 to the Board on behalf of Fillmore resident Scott Duckett. Bush communicated that in negotiations with FUTA (teachers union) several “cost reduction proposals” have been presented and that FUTA is “publicly stating [they] prefer furlough days versus salary reductions.” Furlough days are unpaid days resulting in fewer days in the classroom, while an across the board salary reduction would result in no lost jobs or programs, and would meet the goal of keeping cuts away from students and classrooms. While union leadership has received information about the idea of salary reductions from a member of the public the District has the position to formally bring it to negotiations in the event of the Board giving that direction to their bargaining team. So far the Board has not done this publicly. Negotiations with the classified union (CSEA) begin on May 4, 2011. An unofficial response from CSEA membership who heard the proposal was supportive of exploring the possibility of across the Board salary reductions. The Board voted to adjourn with future meetings set for May 7, 17, and 24. Video of the full meeting will be posted online.