Recent articles in the Gazette by proponents of the Piru Charter School petition have implied that the Fillmore Unified School District showed a “lack of real concern for the students and parents of Piru Elementary School.” It is unclear what the petitioners are citing, as the information that follows is a clear indication that Piru has received tremendous support.
The District has shown concern for Piru’s instructional program as it funded the following over the past three years:
• The purchase of a computer lab ($17,000);
• The purchase of Waterford Math and Science software ($40,000); and
• The purchase one half the cost of the Lesson One ($11,250) program that school implemented the past two years.
The above items, with the exception of Lesson One were provided for all of our elementary schools. Also, the District provides outstanding support for our Title I, Migrant and our English Learners by our coordinators, all of whom specialize in our student populations across the District. This support is the luxury of being part of a unified school district.
Below is a partial list of the programs and projects that the District has completed at Piru School just in the last 4 years:
2004-05
• Electrical and Plumbing modernization as well as Americans with Disability Act upgrades like ramps and new doors.
2006-07
• Replaced Vandalized Play structure
• Demolition of two badly deteriorated portable classroom buildings
• Asphalt play area repair and replacement at the west side of the campus
• Re-grading of site of demolished building
• Asphalt paving.
• Asphalt play area restriped with multiple games at the west side of campus
2007-08
• Two new portable classrooms set up on east side of campus
• Repaired Fire Alarm system
• Roofs repaired on classrooms 16, 17 and 18
• New carpeting in rooms 16, 17 and 18
2008-09
• Demolition and removal of storage trailer and Quonset hut storage building.
• Kitchen re-roofed with 30-year guarantee.
• Replacement of concrete ramp per DSA requirements.
• Accessible ramp repaired at classrooms 16, 17 and 18
• Complete technology infrastructure upgrade with fiber optics and equipment.
• Kitchen flooring replaced
• Nine Hole Frisbee Golf Course installed
• Removed wood mulch at Play Structure fall zones and replaced with Recycled Rubber Chips
• Exterior painting of entire campus
In addition, we have applied for a State grant for Piru Elementary School that we expect to be funded once the State cash flow issues are resolved. ($1,327,349.00):
• Asphalt Pavement Repair / Replacement
• Repair / Replacement of 41 Windows
• Repair / Replacement of Fencing around Kinder.
• Turf Playfield regrading
• Interior Painting
• Demolition and Replacement of Portable Classroom #13
• Fire Alarm System upgrade
• Communications System upgrade
• Flooring Repairs
• Roofing Repairs
• Termite treatment
As you can see above, the Fillmore Unified School District has not neglected Piru’s facility over the past four years. Many of the changes above are to the infrastructure of the school, and are not necessarily visible, like plumbing and electrical upgrades, but they are critical to keeping the school maintained.
In short, we do care about Piru, and we have been, and are continuing to spend money to help improve the school and support to the students and staff. I believe the facts above indicate that Piru School, and the community, are a vital part of the FUSD district and that the district cares very much for the students and staff.

John Garnica
President, FUSD Board of Education