To the Editor:
I am so thankful for all of the community support that we received during the campaign. I'm grateful to those of you who had the courage to speak out for change in FUSD. Mark Austin and I received over 2700 votes; every one of those a vote for change. I am hopeful that two new pairs of eyes and ears on the Board will bring the "breath of fresh air" that we were all hoping for.
I would like to thank Mark Austin. I am honored to have met him, campaigned with him and to call him my friend. He did not run for himself--period. I look forward to working with him in the future to improve our schools.
I am immensely proud of the campaign we ran, a campaign based on integrity and truth with true grassroots support. Our supporters volunteered to help, requested yard signs and people I had never met before were calling and emailing thanking us for running. Our campaign opened the door to change at our District. And we are not going anywhere. We must stay organized and stay vigilant. The new Board members will need help working for transparency and accountability. At the most recent School Board meeting the auditor had to remind the Board that the budget is a ‘public document” meaning that any member of the public has access to this. Even with all their experience they still need to be reminded that they are a public body, they are accountable to the public, it is their role to answer to us and to provide the best education to all students. A shift is happening. A seed has been planted.
Stay tuned for information on the formation of a community based group to support the District in improving our schools.
With Gratitude,
Kimberly Rivers
Piru Resident