 Teacher Sandy Butts, center, and fellow teachers addressed concerns at Tuesday night’s school board meeting. Enlarge Photo By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, January 8th, 2014
The first Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting of the New Year was completed in 30 minutes. The short session consisted of a discussing an Education Services and Public Comments addressing the Board. During Public Comments Sandy Butts, who teaches 5th grade at Mountain Vista, along with ten other teachers from around the District, address the Board on class size and teachers’ compensation. Many of those teachers wore black t-shirts with a quote from Abraham Lincoln stating, "Education, the most important subject which we as a people engage." Butts wanted to reminded the Board that the average FUSD class size today is 28-29 students (California average is 24 students which is much larger than classrooms throughout the country) and also that it has been almost eight years since the teachers in FUSD have received a pay raise. She gave examples of newspaper articles discussing the teacher pay raises throughout the state and that it is attributed to the passing of Prop. 30. Butts presented the Board with a chart dated November 10, 2013 from a Ventura County Star article showing average teachers pay scales throughout the county with Hueneme Elementary being the highest at $79,535 followed by Oxnard Union High at $72,646. The lowest paying district was Fillmore Unified at $61,340 preceded by Rio District at $62,284. The chart also listed Ventura County's annual income average for teachers: Elementary $68,653, Middle School $63,325 and High School $66,337. According to the California Department of Education website California average teaching salary is $68,531 and ranks 5th compared to the other 49 states. Just ahead of California is the District of Columbia at an average teaching salary of $68,720 and the highest paid teachers are in New York at $73,398. The average teaching salary throughout the country is $55,418. California spent $57,923,591,137 on education during the 2011-2012 school year with $17,908,913,160 (30%) going to teachers salary. In 2013, $50,584,391,000 went to k-12 and higher education, which is over 53% of the state's general fund. The article presented CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, January 8th, 2014
Fillmore & Western Railway continues to fight the termination of its lease. Last week a judge refused to block the lease termination which allows the Railway to use the Santa Paula Branch Line. However, an attorney for the Ventura County Transportation Commission stated that the County will not take any instantaneous action to halt operations of the historical trains. Fillmore & Western sued the Commission in November 2013, alleging breach of contract. The Railway says the agency did not give a valid cause to break the lease, which was negotiated in 2001, to expire in 2021. The Commission claimed good cause to end the agreement on Decembers 1, 2013, stating the railway failed to fulfill its maintenance agreement for the line. Donna Standard, attorney for the Railway, said the Commission expects the Railway to perform maintenance beyond what the lease requires. |
 (l-r) Ari Larson VP, Martin Guerrero receiving award for Skillin-Carroll Mortuary, Cindy Jackson President, Renae Stovesand and Irma Magana Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Wednesday, January 8th, 2014
Skillin-Carroll Mortuary is Business of the Month. Located at 600 Central Avenue, Fillmore, Skillin-Carroll Mortuary has supported the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce and been a Member for many years. If you should ever need their services or have any questions for them they can be reached at 805-524-0744. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, January 8th, 2014
12/31/2013 – 01/06/2014
 City of Fillmore 12/31/2013 |
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By Anonymous — Monday, December 30th, 2013
 Mr. Palmerin was arrested on 12/28/13 at 7 PM at the Fillmore Station, when he turned himself in with his attorney. He was booked into the Ventura County Jail for PC 245(a)(1) - Assault with a deadly weapon. Police are looking for a man suspected of trying to kill another man with his pickup truck near the Arco Station on Highway 126 in Piru on Thursday afternoon, December 26th. Authorities said the men had been arguing at about 5:30pm at the gas station, Main Street and Highway 126, when one of the men allegedly ran over the other man with his truck before fleeing the scene. Authorities suspect the argument was over a woman. The injured man, a 30-year old Fillmore resident, was taken to Ventura County Medical Center with broken legs. Investigators are looking for a light gray 2004 or 2005 Ford F-150 pickup, license plate number 7F57886. It is believed he was heading eastbound. Authorities said they suspect Rosario Palmerin, of Fillmore, in his early 30s, of being the driver of the truck. Palmeria is wanted for Assault with a Deadly Weapon. |
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By Anonymous — Monday, December 30th, 2013
 This collision of two cars took place at the intersection of Highway 126 and Mountain View at approximately 6 p.m., December 23. No serious injuries were reported and moderate damage was done to both vehicles Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Monday, December 30th, 2013
 On December 29, at 10:15 p.m. a single vehicle accident occurred on Central Avenue near Sespe Avenue. The driver of the vehicle was headed north on Central when he collided with a palm tree on the east side of the street. The driver did not suffer injury and no cause for the accident was determined by press time. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Monday, December 30th, 2013
A power outage knocked out traffic lights in Piru on Christmas Eve. Caltrans and Southern California Gas Co. were dispatched to fix the problem. Rep’s said few homes were affected. It is unknown how long the power was out. |
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By Anonymous — Monday, December 30th, 2013
 Last week’s brief downpour was a welcome relief to a dry area. With one of the longest dry-spells on record, we need more rain! Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Monday, December 30th, 2013
City of Fillmore 12/17/2013 |