To the Editor:
I am absolutely shocked by your "Realities" column from September 4th (the polemic against women in the armed services). It is biologically incorrect to claim that women have "weak wrists" or are not "physically fit." Males and females of all species are on a continuum of size and strength; for humans the mid-range of physical strength and size are larger for males than females (in many species, the females are the larger and stronger), but this does NOT mean that most women who enter the armed services are less strong than most men who do so. It is ignorant -- and unfair -- to claim this as if it's a fact.
It is also NOT true that armed services around the world have never used women in combat positions before. Please consider the countries of Israel, Northern Ireland, and Russia, for example.
I also cannot believe that a person in this day and age would claim that a man couldn't handle a woman being his boss and calling the shots. How rude this is to men! I would love to point out your opinion to Margaret Thatcher, or Teresa May, or the many other women in charge of entire countries, as a start.
I request that you please retract your rude and condescending remarks immediately.
Cynthia Tuthill, PhD
Resident of St. Helena

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To the Editor:
I am disabled. My car was parked in a disabled parking when it was towed by cited for abandoned vehicle and towed to impound. I did not receive notice until after the car was impounded. The release form cost me $115 and $495 to get my car out from impound. I was told that a disabled person cannot park over 72 hours in disabled parking. I spoke to Mike at Fillmore city hall code enforcement and was just as baffled as I.
Sincerely,
Melissa Southworth-Ramos

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To the Editor:
As a teacher at Mountain Vista Elementary, I find it very distressing that my union, the Fillmore Unified Teachers Association, has to go to mediation with the school district on Sept 11th over what I view as mishandling of funds. At this time of year teachers should be able to focus fully on enriching the students in our classrooms - not fighting for our insurance benefits and our salaries which have stagnated at the very lowest levels in Ventura.
This is all happening while our administration has the highest salaries in the county with full benefits and no caps! I am personally being put in the position of having to worry about whether or not I will be able to financially survive if my husband has another heart surgery. I worry that if my cancer returns, I will not be able to afford my treatments because the board wants to cap teacher’s health benefits. I am also having to question why the school board, who is supposed to help balance salary and benefits for teachers and administrators, are instead, continuing to approve one salary hike after another for our superintendent, while trying to cut benefits of employees who directly serve the students of Fillmore, our teachers.
My experience with fellow teachers here in Fillmore is one of passion for serving the students of our community. Over the summer during our unpaid break, I personally witnessed many of my peers continuing to work to prepare for a successful school year. Teachers at Mountain Vista continued to meet and prepare for supporting students and their many needs. We also met to plan workshops we would present in order to meet the training needs of staff to benefit students. On Facebook, there were several posts and pictures of colleagues shopping for supplies out of their own pocketbooks. Weeks before school was in session, I saw many teachers setting up their classrooms and curriculum to ensure student success.
Teachers need “fair and equal” pay and benefits.
Susan Agostinelli
Resource Teacher, MS Sped
Mountain Vista Elementary

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To the Editor:
FUSD issued a letter to regarding their view of negotiations this past school year. It’s disheartening that district leadership has omitted facts that as a history teacher are the base that all my lessons come from.
FUSD is trying to convince parents that a hard cap in educator health benefits is necessary to alleviate the rising cost of premiums in the future is unfounded. Our Superintendent, management, and other district personnel will have fully paid benefits without the same proposed hard cap. So why only propose a hard cap on teachers? How does this attract more good teachers to teach your kids?
Similarly, Dr. Palazuelos expressed that limiting the annual contribution to educators’ health benefits premiums will provide a “substantial” salary increase. What increase? The district’s 2.5% proposed salary increase would then equal only 4% over the last four years while Dr. Palazuelos 17% increase is substantial over that same period. Not having a real pay increase means students are the ultimate ones effected by the fact that many great teachers are leaving the district.
Finally, left out is the fact that the increase in state educators’ retirement contributions are not isolated to Fillmore educators. All Fillmore’s certificated management, (administrators) which includes, Dr. Palazuelos, have the same increases. The fact that certificated management salaries are significantly more substantial than Fillmore educators, they will have higher contributions than teachers. Truthful facts and fairness is what Fillmore educators want. Great teachers staying in Fillmore for your kids is what Fillmore educators strive for.
Jennifer Beal
FUTA Vice President

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To the Editor:
On August 20th the Fillmore USD Board of Trustees unanimously approved the Full and Fair Funding resolution requesting appropriate funding from the state. Our school district now stands alongside hundreds of other organizations across California calling on the state legislature to increase school funding to the national average by 2020. I am honored to be a part of a Board of Trustees that supports Full and Fair Funding and I am now asking for the community to join us in this work.
Putting California’s funding into perspective compared to the national average, if California increased funding per student just to the national average, a classroom of 25 students would receive an additional $61,875, as shown on the www.fullandfairfunding.org website. A school with 500 students would receive over $1,000,000 per year to spend on additional support staff, counselors, tech support, salary increases, art, music and theater programs or whatever else is determined to benefit the students.
Prior to joining the Board of Trustees, I volunteered in my children’s classrooms and participated in school parent groups for over fifteen years. As an involved Trustee I have learned firsthand how our school district operates on a every day basis to keep this large organization running and I have witnessed the efforts of the district to further public education. It is no easy task to ensure there is a balanced budget considering the many challenges before us as we work to provide students with the best possible education.
First and foremost, school districts are challenged with providing safe and secure schools. Keeping students physically and mentally safe encompasses many areas from maintaining buildings for optimal performance and long-term cost savings to the increased need in counseling, for both academic and social emotional needs. Additionally, school districts have the duty and obligation to provide students access to emotional counseling making it necessary to hire additional counselors.
School Districts are tasked with helping students with basic necessities including meals, after school care and all-day preschool. Athletic clubs and teams are available for students to learn the strengths of teamwork as well as how to strive for individual goals. These programs are beneficial and enrich the lives of our students as we help them reach their academic goals and endeavors.
State mandated testing in now completely online, forcing school districts to update computer systems and internet infrastructure in order to administer the required test. No additional ongoing funding was provided by the state for these changes. School districts must constantly explore ways to improve technology capabilities as well as hire tech support staff and train teachers on the new requirements.
The national health care crisis is affecting all industries including the education sector. With the average company paying 51% more for benefits and families paying an average of 67% more than they did ten years ago, according to a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation. We all need answers to the burdensome health insurance price hikes.
Last, but certainly not least, is the academic education school districts are charged with providing students. From preschoolers learning their colors to high school students taking Advanced Placement classes the teachers and staff work diligently to provide each student what they need to become successful members of society. Classified staff, certificated teachers and management staff all deserve our respect.
Education today is so much more than teaching reading, writing and arithmetic but sadly state funding has not increased to keep up with these needs. The many facets of the bureaucracy of public education can’t be covered in a letter but I wanted to highlight some of the challenges faced when budgeting. School districts are given a finite amount of funding from the state and must decide how to divide the funds for long term stability. I feel all these areas mentioned are important but I’m finding our representatives in Sacramento have not been willing to make educating youth a priority.
Please consider reading the Full and Fair Funding resolution at www.fullandfairfunding.org and if you agree sign the petition to encourage our state to increase spending on public education.
I’m tired of trying to figure out how to spend the leftovers sent from the state. I want education to be a priority, I want Full and Fair Funding for schools.
Respectfully,
Kelli Couse
FUSD School Board President