The following students participated in the 5TH Annual Navy SEAL Invitational Tournament in Coronado, April 25, 2015 (l-r) David Vargas, Daniel Flores, Tereck Morales, and Michael Castro, with Anna Morielli center. Not present: Chad Petuoglu, Derek Flores, Ricardo Lomeli, Angel Velez, Matthew Hammond, Chaperones Bob and Lisa Hammond. The Spirit of the Gut Award, held by Morielli, was presented to the team who participated in the 4th Annual Navy SEAL Invitational Tournament, May 2014 for displaying the most spirit, heart, inspiration to continue the course despite the challenges.

Over fifty people attended the May 5, 2015 Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting. Some had come to see the Fillmore High School (FHS) students who competed in the U.S. Navy Seal Challenge at the U.S. Naval Base in Coronado, California, but most had come to support an FUSD employee up for termination.

Sixteen Public Speakers cards were turned in, with five of them forfeiting their time to Louann Brock, who read a statement from Bob Sube. Public comment lasted about an hour. The item that had drawn such interest and filled the room to overflow capacity was the termination of Fillmore's School Farm Tech Wayne Noblitt.

First to speak was Brock. She addressed the Board from a written statement saying, "On Friday, March 6, 2015 Mr. Noblitt was placed on paid administrative leave due to the fact that he discharged a firearm on the school farm (grounds) when he shot a vicious dog (1 of 2) who had attacked and killed one student's goat and was going after another. The dogs ran off into the river and have not been seen since. Mr. Noblitt truthfully and immediately reported the incident to Mr. Joe Richards, a practice that has been the standard for as many years as we have owned the School Farm. Mr. Noblitt had absolutely no idea that having done what was expected of him would in turn result in a termination recommendation. Not only has he been faced with possible termination, but the District also requested that the local Sheriff's department get involved and alluded to the possible need for criminal charges.......I have spent weeks on the phone talking to community members who have expressed complete disbelief that Mr. Noblitt, while attempting to safeguard our students animals, was being recommended for termination, when no written policy exists and the only verbal policy is that he did exactly as instructed (which was) if you discharge a firearm to report it, as he did, and then don't discuss it, end of story.....To have placed an employee on paid administrative leave without notifying me as the President, while not illegal, is certainly not conducive to open, honest communication and concern for an employee and their rights."

Brock ended by reading a letter of support from Bob Sube who previously worked with Noblitt and spoke of Noblitt's excellent service to the school.

Speakers spoke of the school's rural area surrounding and that it was not uncommon to see bears, mountain lions, coyotes and wild dogs which are a threat to staff, students and animals.

Longtime Fillmore veterinarian Dr. Charles Nelson, who treats the animals at the School Farm, spoke of the dedication of Noblitt and without his actions "the school would lose a lot of pigs, sheep and goats."

Attorney Stephen Blum addressed the unwritten policy and that there was a precedence, saying "He (Noblitt) could not read minds of others...there was no policy created to deal with such situations."

FHS student Adriene Garcia, whose goat had been killed, spoke of the impact the incident had on her. Next was Santa Paula High School Agricultural teacher Alex Flores, Dick Mosbarger, and FHS student and Future Farmers of America (FFA) President Tim Klittich, who reiterated what others had said and the positive impact Noblitt has had on his education. Piru resident Steve Growland told the Board Noblitt's actions were understandable and questioned the motivations for the action taken asking, "Are outside influences impacting your decisions?"
Joe Long stated he had worked with Noblitt for years and what an asset he was to FFA.

Last to address the Board on the issue was Santa Paula rancher Rob Frost stating he was worried about the fate of the farm and that, "Thousands of dollars have been donated to create the farm....I've never seen a personnel situation handled like this. You're not following proper procedures...It might come back to bite you."

A special FUSD Board Meeting held on Wednesday morning, May 6, 2015 was scheduled to discuss Noblitt’s termination.

The meeting began with recognition of the nine FHS students who participated in the Navy Seal challenge. This is the second year Fillmore has participated in the challenge and those who participated last year said this year was tougher. After the challenge Fillmore students were invited to a barbecue at the Seal Team Captain’s home. The Captain also offered for his team come to Fillmore for a day to train and prepare the students for next year’s competition.

The agenda included approval of a new online course along with a bid to perform work on Piru Elementary.

Stefan Cvijanovich Student Services, gave a presentation on Positive Behavior Information and Support. Cvijanovich is working on School Wide Positive Behavior Support (SWPBS) that has strategic goals to lower expulsions with a systems approach for a school-wide social culture of cooperative behavior. He stated it would take three to five years of training commitment to address proactive system changes in the "why schools do business." The results according to Cvijanovich will be students able to know what they are expected to do and know school is safe, predictable, fair with adults concerned about their success. Board Member John Garnica questioned the goal of eliminating all expulsions saying that may have the opposite affect of being a safer environment. Superintendent Dr. Adrian Palazuelos responded that they will come back with a well-rounded approach that students and staff will understand.

Palazuelos then introduced the two former FHS students as newly hired FHS teachers; Kelsey McLain, FHS valedictorian, whose grandfather Hank Carrillo served on FUSD Board, and Anthony Chavez, whose parents Hope and Bill Chavez teacs at San Cayetano Elementary School and Sierra High.

The first agenda item for approval was a new online curriculum APEX for $23,752. This will replace Learning Connections which previous Superintendent Dr. Nishino had paid $57,000 to purchase. The new service will allow students more time to complete the course work.

The next agenda item was approving a $702,000 bid to Letner Roofing Co. to replace the roof of all the classrooms except kindergarten and 2nd grade rooms at Piru Elementary School. The work will be done this summer. The bidding process for the tarmac and concrete work at both San Cayetano and Piru Elementary Schools is expected soon. If completed in time the tarmac and concrete work will also be done this summer. If the bidding process takes longer than expected the work will be done during winter break.