Members of the Fillmore Unified School District Board met jointly with the North Fillmore Neighborhood Committee Tuesday night in the FUSD board room.

District Superintendent Jeff Sweeney told the board that he attended the recent State Board of Education meeting in Sacramento where the Piru Charter School application was being heard. Sweeney said that parent support for keeping Piru School under FUSD control was overwhelming. He told the gathering that parents paid for buses to go to the hearing. He said Piru School is a neighborhood school and the center of the town. “A charter takes away local control,” Sweeney added.

Assistant Superintendent Mike Bush said the district would lose $7,500 per student if the Charter School is approved. “For those students who want to come here we will have to make investments to accommodate them,” Bush said. Tony Prado, President of the Board said, “Parents are upset because Charter supporters are saying that the Fillmore District is influencing parents, but we are not. If the majority of parents want the Charter, we will accept that.”

Superintendent Sweeney said they've reached an agreement with the certificated and classified employees. Both groups have agreed to work five fewer days next year. Class sizes will increase only by one student. He added that there will be a one-year delay in buying math books. Fillmore Unified School District Teachers' Association President Theresa Marvel told the board that the teachers had ratified the agreement and presented the board with a signed copy. “I thank you very much for supporting our students,” she added.

Under the Power of One agenda item District trustees recognized Daniel Nelson of Laverne Nursery, Incorporated for his generous contributions. “I look forward to working with the Fillmore School District in the future,” Nelson said. Luke Meyers, a fourth grade student from Mountain Vista School was honored for finishing in fourth place in the Ventura County Spelling Bee. Board member Liz Wilde told Luke that he was the first student to receive the Power of One award. “We're proud of you for representing Fillmore and your school,” said Board President Perez.

Parent Representative Ramon Ortiz told the gathering that, on behalf of parents in the District Migrant Education Program, “We are pleased to offer this letter of commendation to the students for their successful participation in the Ventura County Migrant Education Speech and Debate Tournament, held all day Saturday, March 20, 2010 at Oxnard High School. We would also like to commend teachers who supported the students by their words of encouragement.” He also thanked the District for the outstanding education offered to the students. He listed the following teachers: Claudia Cornejo, Jennifer Weir, Jill Caporaso, Delia Silva, Beverly Garnica, Martha Ramos, Randy Garcia, Raina Arellano, Mary Allen Garcia and Maria Gonzalez. The students were among 400 competing in the tournament. Fillmore High student Viviana Quintana was named Grand Champion of the tournament with the most points. Tricia Gradias, Migrant Ed Supervisor, was thanked by Board President Prado and other board members.

The board voted to rescind an undetermined number of the layoff notices sent out last month. Bev Jones, Human Resources consultant and Todd Schieferley, Human Resources Director said the number of final layoff notices will depend on whether or not the Piru Charter School is approved as well as how many teachers decide to retire. Letters will be sent by this Friday. “We are very anxious to rescind these layoff notices,” said Board Member Garnica. At the end of the lengthy meeting Board President Prado thanked Jones for stepping in as Human Resources Consultant the past few months.

Assistant Superintendent Mike Bush said the bid for rehabilitation at Sierra High School (615 Shiells Drive) came in under the original estimate of $2 million dollars. Bottenfield Construction's bid came in at $1,255,922. Superintendent Sweeney said, “You have done a huge thing here by creating a new campus for alternative learning.” Bush said when finished, there will be seven classrooms, a science lab and a media center.

Piru School parent Adrienne Thiesing notified the board that she sent an appeal packet to the State Board of Education, concerning what she said were 19 violations of the Williams Act. A consultant hired by the County Schools Office reported to the FUSD that an inspection of Piru School found that “The condition of the facilities does not pose an emergency or urgent threat to the health and safety of pupils or staff.”
Assistant Superintendent Bush asked the board to agree with a new date of August 30, 2010 for roads and curbs to be put in at the site of the new Rio Vista Elementary School. Bush added, “We have a state grant. If we miss the timeliness we have to resubmit the plans to the State and that takes two years. We are looking at $6 million dollars at risk.” The 10-acre parcel, located south of Highway 126, just East of downtown, was purchased with $7 million dollars in District funds and $13 million from the developer.

Garrett O'Reilly, FHS Student Representative to the board said the Sadie Hawkins Dance will be this Friday and the blood drive will be April 20. He added that there will be a celebration April 23 for improving State test scores by 33 points last year. State testing begins April 27 this year. The senior prom is May 1.
The next FUSD Board meeting takes place April 20 with a closed session at 5:15 pm and the regular meeting at 6:00 pm.