Fillmore City Parks and Recreation Commissioner Camilla Conaway, expresses her concern regarding the process accessing the track as “ridiculous”.

In a rare packed house with standing room only and a line out the door the Fillmore Unified School District Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, April 5, 2011. Public comment began with three speakers regarding the long road to allowing public access to the track. Fillmore City Parks and Recreation Commissioners Kenneth Palmer and Camilla Conaway were joined by Fillmore Resident and Exercise Club member John Scholls who all spoke to the Board indicating their desire to move ahead quickly to find a reasonable solution which addresses the concerns of FUSD, allows sensible access to the track and takes into account the costs which the City will bear. Palmer indicated a plan that will cost $1,000 to $2,000 and makes entry to the track more direct than the current set up. Conaway commented that the current process for accessing the track is “ridiculous” and requires exercise club members to “jump through hoops.” According to all three speakers, the current process requires those accessing the track to check in at the pool, walk around the block, down an unlit alley/sidewalk, and pass through three gates. Conaway commented that she understood the District had concerns over adults having access to the high school, but the current access route provides more opportunity for that compared to the plan they are proposing. Palmer, Conaway and Scholls all suggested an easier and more direct access route utilizing the entrance used for football games. Scholls commented that this entrance is “more direct, less costly, better lighted, [and has] less likelihood of injury.” Board President Virginia De La Piedra commented on “miscommunication on both sides” and that she had previously requested to be notified of any City meetings on this subject and to date has not received any such notifications. Conaway said she would be notified of future meetings. Board Member Tony Prado indicated that he was the Board rep on the sub-committee charged with finding a solution that works for all, but apparently he had not been notified of any meetings and therefore did not attend them. FUSD Superintendent Jeff Sweeney suggested that Michael Bush, FUSD Assistant Superintendent Business Services, should meet with Parks and Rec and other City officials to come up with a plan to recommend for the Boards approval. All parties agreed to this and De La Piedra joined Sweeney in expressing their desire to “expedite” this process while addressing student safety and facility issues.

Next the Board heard from 7th grader Curtis Warring Ponce, a resident of Piru and student at Fillmore Middle School. He began by reporting to the Board “ [we have] great schools…education is very important to me…failure is not an option.” He informed the Board of his perfect attendance record and 4.0 GPA. Ponce informed the Board “[He really likes his school] it’s safe, friendly and it is awesome. Our principals are the best, we have excellent teachers and staff that work hard to make it a great school…[and have activities for each student] something that fits them.” He spoke about his experience in advanced band with the “best teacher, Mr. Godfrey and I want to learn more. Music calms me down and enriches [my life, it is] very important to me to keep music and arts in school.” He stated that he hoped the budget cuts would not affect his school. In conclusion he said “I want to thank everyone who works hard to make our schools great for us kids to keep learning and succeeding.”

The final speaker in public comment was Fillmore High School Physical Education Department Head Kati Appleford. She spoke to the Board regarding an issue listed later in the agenda included under a information/discussion item labeled “Graduation Requirements.” Earlier this year Sweeney brought the option of granting PE credit to students enrolled in marching band as a way to increase options for students and allow those students dedicated to marching band to take it for four years. According to Marching Band instructor Greg Godfrey currently students are unable to take Marching Band for all four years. To date the Board has not requested to hear from the PE department on this issue at a public meeting requiring Appleford to present information during public comment. Appleford presented questions and the position of the PE department and provided a written statement indicating, “The PE department does not agree with giving students PE credit for Marching band.” She went on to explain that PE is taught by credentialed teachers who train for a minimum of five years to “earn the appropriate degree and …certification.” In addition Appleford indicated that several of the affected students are severely obese and she hinted at the question of how skipping PE serves these students. She presented the Board with a copy of the State Ed Code that applies to PE and stated the departments position that the proposed “PE waiver for marching band” is “not legal according to Ed Code [and the bill] SB 601.” Later in the meeting when the Board discussed this, Fillmore High School Principal John Wilbur and Godfrey came forward to speak to the Board and answer questions, while Appleford and other PE teachers in attendance were not invited to join in the discussion at that time. The Board engaged in a discussion regarding how this affects the health of students, scheduling issues, and the PE department. When concerns were brought up regarding the potential reduction in PE staff this proposal may cause Godfrey commented, “My concern is not jobs, my concern is what is best for the kids.” He reminded the Board of the value of band when students apply to college. No decision was made, the discussion will continue.

Piru Elementary School Principal Tricia Godfrey introduced the two recipients of Students First awards, Kristina Renelli, a 4th grade teacher at Piru for four years, and longtime district staff member Johnny Uribe. Godfrey began “I really want to shine the light on two of our staff members.” Godfrey reported on their dedication, professionalism and commitment to Piru School and the students. De La Piedra then presented each with the Student First certificate.

During Board reports three Board members, Lucy Rangel, Dave Wilde and Tony Prado commented on the study session they attended on March 26, where they heard from Ken Moffett on various topics including the Brown Act and Board and Superintendent relations. Prado commented, “The most interesting thing at that meeting was the idea that I expressed in the past and it was reaffirmed …that the superintendent generally is an ex-officio member of the Board, he is the sixth Board member.” Moffett is a long time and experienced superintendent, who was named Superintendent of the Year in 1994. He has served locally at Pleasant Valley and Santa Paula Elementary School Districts. In the past the Board has had its own attorney, and employees of the Ventura County Office of Education conduct their training sessions.

Sweeney used the time for his standing report to discuss the overall process the District is engaged in with regards to the budget. He began by reminding the Board “with any cut we have to ask …what is the impact on classroom instruction? And … what is the impact on the operation of the school, school safety and the school environment?” He went on to explain “We began this discussion in January…[we are] in the process of creating budget scenarios based on a number [per student ADA, what the district receives for each student in class each day] that the State hasn’t even identified … that creates a number of issues.” He went on to explain that the District has been bringing recommendations to the Board in conjunction with the required timelines as laid out in the collective bargaining agreements with the Fillmore Unified Teachers Association (FUTA) and the California School Employees Association (CSEA). These agreements specify dates that Reduction In Force (RIF) notices must be given to staff. He wanted to make sure the Board and public understood that staff has been “over-noticed” (more notices given out than may be enforced) and this was intentional “to provide maximum flexibility to the Board… for the 2011-2012 budget.” The Board did go on to approve the recommendations regarding CSEA or “classified” staff members, who are also being “over-noticed”. He also took this opportunity to directly ask the Board if there are “any other areas that you want us to investigate…to date we’ve only brought people.” He reminded the Board that the lists they’ve approved for notices already “are not comprehensive” and that if they wish, the Board can examine other positions for reductions. He indicated that on April 19th the Board will receive a list of year round positions for consideration and he recommended adding another meeting on April 26th when the Board can review the District’s “Mission, Vision and goals…[and discuss] if this is… what you want the district to look like… how are all of those items [considered reductions] going to fit into that plan.” Also at that additional meeting he will bring to the Board the comprehensive list of all items they request today, and the Board will determine what items will be targeted for reduction and which items are off the table.
He reported that the District is waiting for the “May revise” from the State, which they hope will include a more concrete number to work with in preparing the budget. Requests From the Board: Rangel said, “I just want to see how much money we are putting into Athletics.” Other items the Board requested more information on included legal fees, computer programs, School Resource Officer, additional furlough days, data specialist, Director of facilities, maintenance manager, energy and water costs. Garnica requested information on an “alternative staffing scenario” in the District office and “[see if it is possible to] consolidate principals.” During this discussion Garnica spoke to the public saying, “we are willing to listen, any good ideas you’ve got about [ways to help with the budget].” De La Piedra indicted that she has received many comments from members of the public and that “everyone is right” that programs should not be cut, but that this is a serious situation.

All consent agenda and action items were unanimously approved, this included a resolution to lay-off of 18 classified employees including librarians and instructional aides.

The first Information/Discussion item on the agenda was listed as “Graduation Requirements” and the Board allowed Fillmore High School Head Counselor Karen Ashim to address the Board on several topics. “For the First time [in 25 years] we had 87% of sophomores pass the math portion of the CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam) that is up 16%.” And she reported that 31 seniors or 14% have been accepted to University of California campuses. They have not received data on out-of-state, private, or California State College admissions. With those reports on the progress being made at the high school, she told the Board “I am here to voice my concerns regarding the proposed graduation requirements and cuts to various programs. Health is a course that a majority of our students need desperately.” Currently FUSD requires one semester of Health class in order to graduate. The State does not require Health class in order to graduate from high school, but it does have a recommended health curriculum and certain aspects such as drug use prevention are required. Recently the District office has proposed that the Board vote to remove Health as a graduation requirement and incorporate aspects of the curriculum into PE. During the discussion Fillmore High School Principal John Wilbur, and Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Katy Hadley joined Ashim in opposing the proposal to remove Health class as a graduation requirement. Ashim went on to inform the Board that “eliminating these courses (Career Tech is also being looked at) will not save FUSD any money.” She explained that the students usually enrolled in these classes would have to be in another class, most of which are impacted already. “We need to support our academic programs before we ever fund our athletics.” Ashim stated. She recognized that this position may make her “persona-non-grata” at the high school, but she also mentioned the stipends that coaches receive while she recognized the time and dedication such positions require. “The athletic budget has always exceeded the …library budget,” she reported. She emphasized that she recognizes the value of the athletic department, but that she feels academics should be funded first. Ashim concluded by saying “Please consider the value of our health, careers and technology, AVID and other programs as you make your difficult decisions regarding graduation requirements and the allocations of limited resources.” The Board will continue this discussion at future meetings with a request from Sweeney that the Board make a decision at the April 19 meeting so that the high school can prepare and be able to inform incoming freshman.

Following a brief educational services update from Hadley focused on the state testing window that is coming up, the Board voted to adjourn to closed session and with future meetings on April 19, April 26 and May 3.