The Fillmore Unified School Board of Education met on Tuesday, February 15 at Piru Elementary School for a regularly scheduled meeting. The evening began with a welcoming speech given by Piru Elementary School Associated Student Body president Angelica Orozco who also led the pledge of allegiance. ASB vice president Michael Sanchez presented each Board member with a school t-shirt.

The first speaker during public comment was Karen Torres who spoke regarding her concerns over how the “special services department [will be affected by budget cuts]… and how the department is being managed… there are services that my [child] and other children are [entitled to] to meet the needs of their individualized education that are not being met [by the District] I am told it’s because of funding.” Torres went to on express “There is a lot of focus in our community on football and pageants while some children graduate without being able to read, write or do basic math.” She expressed regret at seeing her own son struggle with reading and knows that there are other students whose “parents are not able to speak up for them.” She went on to ask that before the Board vote to reduce funding for student services or aids in the classroom that “[the Board] investigate the policies and procedures of our special services department, consult with teachers and parents to ensure [that available funding] is going to meet the needs of children [as required by law]. Torres volunteered to join a committee to ensure that such an investigation is “being done.”

Next the Board heard from Eva Magness, grandmother of a former FUSD student. Magness reported to the board that she was there to make sure the Board is aware that “ FUSD administrators are spending taxpayer dollars to delay or deny [her grandchild] the education that [he/she] is entitled to by law.” Magness told the Board of how her grandchild required hospitalization for an emotional breakdown and depression following an incident of bullying via text messaging. The family was communicating with administrators at the student’s school, and was told that the student would be receiving five hours of instruction per week while unable to attend school. “I want you to know that from November [2010] to today [her grandchild] receives not five hours of [instruction] but five to ten minutes a day, that is not an education.” She explains that her grandchild was an honor student, in advanced classes and in the end of January was ready and released by doctors to return to school. It is her position that “the administration is not interested in providing an education [to my grandchild] or is paralyzed in decision making.” She reports the school administration did not return phone calls until the family contacted an attorney. The school administrators suggested to the family that they could get a transfer to Moorpark “[since they] had more to offer in educational services.” Magness also emphasized that her daughter, the mother of the student was told by the school principal that she could petition the Superintendent for “some kind of consideration for transportation costs”. She read the education code to the Board “[Ed Code] reads a child is entitled to a free appropriate public education and related services. Precedent in court has said that transportation is considered a related service.” She asked the Board if they “really support an administration that seeks to deny this student the education they are entitled to?”. The only point of disagreement now, according to Magness, is who will pay the transportation costs? She left the Board with a request for assistance in resolving this matter, and if needed for it to be put on a future agenda for further public discussion.

Lynn Edmonds from CONTINUED »

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On Tuesday February 15th, Piru Elementary School and its proud principal Tricia Godfrey hosted a crowd of approximately 70 parents, district staff, community members and students for the dedication and unveiling of the new marquee sign. The brand new sign, paid for through community fundraising efforts of The Friends of Piru (FOP) parent group is a new and important way for the school to communicate with parents and the community. For approximately four years the parent run group Friends of Piru had it’s sights on a marquee for the school all the while funding other needs at the school. Parents at the school choose the sign and FOP wrote the check for nearly $6,000.00 At the dedication Godfrey recognized the work of John and Luanne Schaper, as well as “Mrs. Dollar… thank you so much for just not giving up.” Friends of Piru Board members and Piru residents Katherine Ponce and Maria Villa were thanked although they were unable to attend. The final president of Friends of Piru Kelly Baker was the only board member able to attend the event and receive the thanks in person. Ponce, Villa and Baker were instrumental in organizing many fundraising drives which allowed the group to purchase many items for the school, recently including: paper (nearly $400.00 current school year) headsets and supplies for computer lab, “Bellworks” books ($2,500.00), kindergarten and after school rugs, coordinating a grant for over $1000.00 in library books and supporting the 6th grade annual science camp.

At the beginning of this school year Friends of Piru disbanded due to the fact that the children of all board members either moved up to the middle school or transferred to other elementary schools and there were no current Piru school parents who had been involved with the organization in the past. Current Piru school parents formed a new parent group, Friends for Change, its new name chosen by students at Piru Elementary School. Friends for Change will be planning many new fundraising efforts to continue to supply items requested by the school.

31-year-old David Morales of Fillmore has been ordered to stand trial for the alleged killing of his sister, Maricruz Morales, 20, also of Fillmore and assaulting his mother.

Morales is alleged to have beaten his sister to death and assaulted his mother while in a rage over the fact that they had packed his personal belongings in preparation for moving into an adjacent apartment. Thursday, Morales was ordered to stand trial for the murder of his sister who died from blunt force trauma to her head possibly inflicted by a hammer and other objects. Testimony at David Morales’ hearing showed that he became enraged when he learned that his mother and sister had packed all the family’s belongings for the move to the new apartment. Morales’ bail has been set at $525,000 and he remains in the Ventura County Jail.

See original story here: http://www.fillmoregazette.com/front-page/brother-accused-killing-sister

Kindergarten registration will be held on March 28– April 8, 2011, at San Cayetano School, 524-6040, Sespe School, 524-6161, Mountain Vista, 524-8302 and Piru School, 521-1709. Piru residents may register at Piru School.

Parents are to register at the school site within their boundaries.

In order to complete registration, parents must have birth certificate, verification of adequate immunization for their children, verification of address (such as utility bill or driver’s license).

Parents must provide documentation that their child has completed a Physical Examination; (physical needs to be dated after March 1st, 2011), and Dental/Oral Examination. All four elementary schools have a supply of the physical examination forms and forms for the dentist.

Immunizations: Required doses of Polio, DPT, MMR, Hepatitis B and Varicella vaccines.

For additional questions, contact the elementary school sites, or M. E. Romero, R.N., District Health Coordinator at 524-6029.

The February 8, 2011 Fillmore City Council and Redevelopment Meeting was all about money, or more correctly stated, the lack of it, as the Council struggled to make recommendations in regards to redevelopment monies that may not be available when needed. On the regular agenda was a proposal by Chevron to develop the old Texaco Refinery, Santa Paula East Area Development Project, appointments to the Planning and Film Commissions, and the vacating of Orange Grove Easement to aid Grad-Night-Live (GNL). Items on the Redevelopment agenda included awarding the contract for the baseball field at Two Rivers Park and a request for an extension of KB Homes Participation agreement.

Also, the continuing problem between the City, City Council and the non-profit Grad-Night-Live was again addressed at Tuesday’s Council Meeting. Mayor Gayle Washburn softened the city’s commitment to provide two storage containers to GNL which was made at the December 14, 2010 meeting. At that meeting, Council Member Jamey Brooks said that the city was going to extra effort to help GNL, “Even to the point with Rigo, I guess they’re looking for containers.” Council Member Patti Walker said, “We have located two cargo containers.” And City Manager Yvonne Quiring said, “…and we’re gonna find two containers for her [Chaney] because Rigo has already taken care of that.” So the question remains, will the city honor its commitment to provide two containers for GNL?

It all started with a complaint back in July 2010 by Marina Martinez who was upset with GNL’s donations being stored on a City easement. Brenda Ortiz, the owner of Super Seal where the easement is located, originally gave Gary Copeland permission to fence in the area, and had assumed formal permission had been given to her to use the street. Super Seal and Coachcraft, two businesses with joining properties on Orange Grove, had both donated the space to the non-profit. The misunderstanding happened when permission had been given to Ortiz, but not formally. Ortiz addressed the Council and stated, “This is all a huge misunderstanding.”

Quiring directed the City staff to CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On January 6, 2011 at about 12:15 a.m, deputies working gang crime enforcement were driving in the 700 block of Akers St. in the city of Fillmore. Deputies saw the three suspects crouch behind a parked car in an effort to hide from them. The deputies recognized the three as local gang members, with two currently on probation. As deputies approached to investigate, the suspects fled a short distance, but deputies quickly caught and detained them. An investigation at the scene led deputies to the discovery of a loaded handgun hidden where the suspects initially attempted to hide from the deputies. They also found one suspect with a collapsible baton hidden in his pants.

Deputies arrested Jonathan Ramirez for unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, being under the influence of a controlled substance and street terrorism. He was booked at county jail with bail set at $110,000.00.

Deputies arrested Steven Chaveste for possession of a deadly weapon, being under the influence of a controlled substance and for street terrorism. He was booked at county jail with bail set at $100,000.00.

Deputies arrested Martin Gaspar for being a felon in possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, under being under the influence of a controlled substance, resisting arrest and street terrorism. He was booked at county jail with bail set at $115,000.00.

Location: 700 Block Akers St. Fillmore, Ca. 93015
Date & Time/ RB#: February 6, 2011 @ 12:15 A.M. / 11-3044
Unit Responsible: Fillmore Gang Unit
(S)uspects City of Residence Age
Ramirez, Jonathan Fillmore 25
Chaveste, Steven Fillmore 30
Gaspar, Martin Fillmore 21

Officer Preparing Release: Senior Deputy Taurino Almazan
Follow-up Contact: Senior Deputy Taurino Almazan @ (805) 524-2233
Date of Release: February 8, 2011
Approved By: Captain O’Hanlon