CAMARILLO, CA - The Ventura County Community Foundation awarded more than $1.2 million in scholarships to local students at the recent 2012 Scholarship Awards Reception, attended by more than 400 students, their families and donors who made the awards possible.

The Community Foundation gave 325 awards to 253 students who will attend such universities as Harvard, Stanford, UCLA, California Lutheran, Pepperdine and Cal State Channel Islands.

[Fillmore Recipients: Celina D. Arenas, Iris and Roger (Spike) Wilkins Scholarship Fund ($1,000), and Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500), Jeremy D. Brooks, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000), and William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000), Christina A. Gutierrez, ¡Adelante! Scholarship Fund ($4,000) and John and Agnes McFarlane Scholarship Fund ($5,000), Lizbeth Magana, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500), Brianna Y. Rodriguez, SAGE Scholarship Fund ($2,000), Vanessa M. Villa, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000), Iris P. Villalobos, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000) and John and Agnes McFarlane Scholarship Fund ($5,000) Lexington, Ky. Joy L. Coles, Rosellen Dee Pearsall Nurse Scholarship Fund ($4,000), Stephanie M. Riggle, Rosellen Dee Pearsall Nurse Scholarship Fund ($4,000)]

"These scholarships are made possible by the generosity of people who believe in investing in the future of Ventura County," said Hugh J. Ralston, president and CEO of the community foundation. "The opportunity for just one student to attend college can transform that person, a family and a community."

The Merfeld Family Foundation Scholarship was awarded for the first time to four students whose parent has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's disease. Started by the late Conejo Valley resident Greg Merfield - after his ALS diagnosis - the scholarship is open to all U.S. students who meet the criteria, with a preference given in the selection process to those from Southern California or Merfeld's native Iowa.

Michael W. Caston CONTINUED »

On July 5, 2012, Ventura County Community College District (District) received notification from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (Commission) that the District and its colleges – Ventura College, Oxnard College, and Moorpark College – will remain on probation based on findings from the Commission’s follow-up visit on April 16. That visit focused solely on the Commission’s special concern regarding Board governance. The Commission noted the Board made progress in the area of Board training and policy development and cited the need for consistency and long-term sustainability. Accreditation site team members reported, “Evidence of . . . activities reflected considerable effort over the past three months focused on resolving the issues and bringing the District into compliance with Accreditation Standards.”

The colleges remain fully accredited while the colleges are on probation. Classes and credits continue to be transferable to other educational institutions. Eligible students are receiving financial aid. No accreditation issues exist in classroom education, and students are graduating with associate degrees and certificates.

The full Board is CONTINUED »

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012
5:00 P.M. – CLOSED SESSION
6:30 P.M. - REGULAR MEETING
627 SESPE AVENUE, FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA

AGENDA
5:00 p.m.
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. ROLL CALL
C. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION AND NONAGENDA ITEMS, PETITIONS
This is the time and place to address the Board. State law prohibits the Board from acting on issues not included on the agenda; however, requests may be made for discussion of specific topics at subsequent meetings. Upon recognition by the President of the Board, please come forward and identify yourself before speaking. The Board of Education reserves the right to limit speaking time to three (3) minutes or less per individual.
D. CLOSED SESSION
The Board of Education will meet from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. to consider matters appropriate for Closed Session in accordance with Government Code Sections 3549.1, 54956.7 through 54957.7 and Education Code Section 35146. If the Board does not complete Closed Session discussions at this time, the Board may adjourn to Closed Session at the end of the regular meeting.
DISCLOSURE OF ITEM(S) TO BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION
Labor/Negotiations (Government Code 54957.6)
o Update; Direction to CONTINUED »

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1. ACROSS ALL STUDENTS IN VENTURA COUNTY, GRADUATION RATES INCREASED AND DROPOUT RATES DECREASED. [Chart 1]

2. ALL STUDENT SUBGROUPS WITH MORE THAN 100 STUDENTS SHOW AN INCREASE IN GRADUATION RATES AND A DECREASE IN DROPOUT RATES IN 2011. [Charts 2 and 3]

On June 27th, 2012, the California Department of Education released the 2010-11 graduate, dropout and four-year cohort data reports. Ventura County data shows local educators have successfully increased the graduation rate and decreased the dropout rate to match or exceed federal growth targets. [chart 1]
The goal established under the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is a cohort graduation rate of 90% by the year 2019. Cohort graduation rate is defined as the percentage of students who graduate from secondary school with a regular diploma in four years. Ventura County high schools are held accountable for making progress towards the 90% graduation rate on an annual basis.

Ventura County data for 2010-11 shows that all subgroups with more than 100 students increased their graduation rates [chart 2] and decreased their dropout rates [chart 3]. Some of the largest sub-group improvements were made by English Learners, Students with Disabilities and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged students. While the data demonstrates strong growth, these sub-groups will continue to be a focus for local educators if students are to meet or exceed federal growth targets.

The recently released data allows districts and schools to compare the two four-year cohort data sets and determine the success of programs designed to increase graduation rates and decrease the dropout rates.

The report is available on the Accountability Progress Report Web page at: www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ay/index.asp.

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012
5:00 P.M. – CLOSED SESSION
7:00 P.M. – SPECIAL MEETING
627 SESPE AVENUE, FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA

AGENDA
5:00 p.m.
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. ROLL CALL
C. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION AND NONAGENDA ITEMS, PETITIONS
This is the time and place to address the Board. State law prohibits the Board from acting on issues not included on the agenda; however, requests may be made for discussion of specific topics at subsequent meetings. Upon recognition by the President of the Board, please come forward and identify yourself before speaking. The Board of Education reserves the right to limit speaking time to three (3) minutes or less per individual.
D. CLOSED SESSION
The Board of Education will meet from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. to consider matters appropriate for Closed Session in accordance with Government Code Sections 3549.1, 54956.7 through 54957.7 and Education Code Section 35146. If the Board does not complete Closed Session discussions at this time, the Board may adjourn to Closed Session at the end of the regular meeting.
DISCLOSURE OF ITEM(S) TO BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION
School District Pupils CONTINUED »

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012
5:00 P.M. – CLOSED SESSION
6:30 P.M. - REGULAR MEETING
627 SESPE AVENUE, FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA

AGENDA
5:00 p.m.
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. ROLL CALL
C. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION AND NONAGENDA ITEMS, PETITIONS
This is the time and place to address the Board. State law prohibits the Board from acting on issues not included on the agenda; however, requests may be made for discussion of specific topics at subsequent meetings. Upon recognition by the President of the Board, please come forward and identify yourself before speaking. The Board of Education reserves the right to limit speaking time to three (3) minutes or less per individual.
D. CLOSED SESSION
The Board of Education will meet from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. to consider matters appropriate for Closed Session in accordance with Government Code Sections 3549.1, 54956.7 through 54957.7 and Education Code Section 35146. If the Board does not complete Closed Session discussions at this time, the Board may adjourn to Closed Session at the end of the regular meeting. DISCLOSURE OF ITEM(S) TO BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION Labor/Negotiations (Government Code 54957.6)
o Update; Direction to District Negotiators (Dr. Alan Nishino, Dr. Michael Bush, Michael Johnson, Todd Schieferle, Margaret Chidester) for negotiations with the Fillmore Unified Teachers Association (FUTA), the California School Employees Association (CSEA), Confidential Employees, and District Administration. Personnel Matters (Government Code 54957)
o Hiring, Evaluating, Discipline, Dismissal, Release, Reassignment, Transfers Superintendent’s Contract Public Employee Performance Evaluation: Superintendent (The Board and
Superintendent meet periodically to provide feedback to one another concerning
the achievement of goals.)
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Superintendent's Office at (805) 524-6038. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the district to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting [in accordance with Government Code 54961 and Board Bylaw 9320(a)].

6:30 p.m.
E. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Any Action From CONTINUED »

Ventura County Office of Education

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Today, the California Department of Education released the 2011 Academic Performance Index (API) Base Reports. The reports include the Base APIs, Growth Targets, and Statewide and Similar Schools rankings for nearly every public school and district as mandated by California’s Public Schools Accountability Act. The 2011 Base Reports reflect results of 2011 statewide testing.

Of the 184 Ventura County API recipient schools that are not ASAM (Alternative Schools Accountability Model) and have student populations of 100 or more students, 99 schools (54%) posted APIs of 800 or better, up slightly from 53% last year. Oak Hills Elementary School in the Oak Park Unified School District attained the highest Base API in Ventura County, 952 on the 1000-point scale. For the fourth year in a row the highest Base API for a middle school in 2011was earned by Medea Creek Middle School, also in the Oak Park Unified School District. The Medea Creek API in 2011 was 929. Finally, the highest Base API for a high school was 914, earned by Foothill Technology High School, in the Ventura Unified School District.

To continue to look at outstanding performers we must search out those schools that score well in an absolute sense (statewide rank) and in relation to schools with similar student populations (similar schools rank). This year one Ventura County school received both a Statewide Rank of 10 and a Similar Schools Rank of 10:

• Santa Susana High School (Simi Valley Unified)

Seventeen schools in Ventura County (9%) scored in the top ten percent of California schools. Districts represented include: Conejo Valley Unified, Oak Park Unified, Pleasant Valley Elementary, Simi Valley Unified, and Ventura Unified.

Twenty-three schools in Ventura County scored in decile 9, meaning that 22% of schools in Ventura County are currently ranked in the top 20% of the State. One hundred schools (55%) ranked above average (deciles 6-10), one more than last year.

Often school success CONTINUED »

Camarillo, CA - CSU Channel Islands (CI) will hold its first Summer Climate Science Institute and Camp, which will bring together NASA scientists, climate science experts, local teachers and students for seven days of learning about climate change and the science behind it.

The Teacher Institute kicks off Monday, June 18. Fifteen science teachers from the Oxnard Union High School District will work with internationally renowned climate scientists and curriculum resource developers throughout the week to better understand climate change and how to incorporate NASA satellite data, research and curriculum in the classroom.

The Student Summer Camp will bring 55 Oxnard Union High School District students to the CI campus Monday, June 25, and Tuesday, June 26, for climate science instruction and self-guided scientific inquiry.

The Summer Institute CONTINUED »

Part of being a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters is to inspire kids and teens to achieve their full potential. Through one-on-one mentoring, a Big can impact the life of their little in so many ways. One way is to influence them to stay in school and go on to college. For high school Bigs, those choices will come sooner rather than later.

Recently, a group of Fillmore High School students from the Big Brothers Big Sisters program received the opportunity to explore their career interest in fashion by attending the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) "Debut 2012 Show".

Amelia Aparicio, the Big Brother Big Sisters Fillmore Program Manager said, “Our Big mentoring program broadens the horizon of our students by exposing them to as many education and career related activities. We are ecstatic to see their eyes open as they begin thinking more seriously about what they plan to do to better their future.”

These Big high school CONTINUED »

SUMMARY
The 2011-2012 Ventura County Grand Jury (Grand Jury) initiated this investigation into methods and systems for providing earthquake safety in Ventura County (County) classrooms based on a newspaper article in the Los Angeles Times.

The Grand Jury requested information with respect to various safety programs from each of the school districts in the County and the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE). The Grand Jury also reviewed California law and performed internet searches for information related to earthquake safety in the classroom.

The Grand Jury examined the current status of safety programs in each of the school districts in the County and the VCOE. The main emphasis was earthquake safety in the classroom and the proactive strategies that can be taken to reduce potential injury in the school environment.

The Grand Jury requested CONTINUED »

On Tuesday May 14, twenty-four Piru 5th and 6th graders loaded a school bus bound for Rancho Alegre in the hills above Santa Barbara. This group of students were off on a four day, three night adventure that they had been preparing months for. Just past Lake Cacchuma (uma, uma), is The Outdoor School at Rancho Alegre. This facility is comprised of a dining hall, recreation hall known to campers as Friendship Hall, eight cabin sections for campers to sleep in, a health lodge, campfire gathering area and much, much, more.

Once at camp the students were quickly introduced to the facility’s staff of Naturalists who would facilitate most of the learning events for the students during their stay. Campers also met their cabin leaders and other campers from Somis School in Somis and Juanamaria School in Ventura.

A day in a life of a camper at The Outdoor School is made up of a very structured schedule. Students rise early in the morning and head up to the dining hall for a delightful breakfast. After breakfast it is time for the day to begin. Students participate in a series of curriculum hikes where they learn all about the wildlife that surrounds them in the hills and also the basic fundamentals of biology. They are also able to enjoy special activities of their choosing such as archery, boating, specialty hikes, and even hip-hop dance.

During their day CONTINUED »

The Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution supporting the Schools and Local Public Safety and Protection Act of 2012 at its May Board meeting. The Act proposes a ballot initiative that temporarily increases income taxes on California’s high-income earners and increases the sales tax by a quarter cent for four years, which would produce state revenue to prevent additional cuts to education and other public services. The tax measure is expected to generate approximately $9 billion per year for schools K-12 through community colleges and public safety at the local level.

In the past three years, public education funding has been cut by over $20 million from the statewide public education budget, and schools are bracing for more cuts. Education funding cuts force educational institutions to reduce course offerings for students, increase class sizes, and reduce services, resulting in a loss of access for Ventura County students to the education they need and deserve. Should the tax initiative fail, public education will be challenged with another $5 billion in additional budget cuts next year.

The Board of Trustees is working with interested parties within the community and around the state to advocate on behalf of the Act to alleviate the negative impact on educational programs and services for students. The Board has provided copies of its resolution to Governor Brown and state legislators. The resolution is posted at www.vcccd.edu under District-wide News, or a copy can be provided by calling 805.652.5504.

Camarillo, CA - CSU Channel Islands (CI) and Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) have partnered to offer students in the Santa Barbara area three new bachelor’s degree programs – one leading to an MBA. The two institutions will formally kick off their expanded partnership with a news conference featuring students, faculty and administrators on Monday, June 18, at 1 p.m. in the Luria Conference and Press Center on the SBCC campus.

Beginning in fall 2012, students will be able to work toward a CI Bachelor of Arts in Psychology on the SBCC campus. In fall 2013, the campus will also offer a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and a B.S.-to-MBA program, in which students can obtain a bachelor’s degree in business and an MBA in as few as 3 ½ years. A dedicated office space, where CI advisors and faculty will meet with current and prospective students, is now open.

The three new degrees CONTINUED »

SUMMARY
The 2011-2012 Ventura County Grand Jury (Grand Jury), pursuant to its responsibility for government oversight, elected to look into the methods and systems of the organization of curricula of the Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD or District).

There are approximately 35,500 students within the VCCCD campuses (Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura Colleges). The reduction of state funding caused a loss of over $11 million to the District’s budget. The District’s response to this deficit was to eliminate classes, programs, and employees. Students need to attend two or three campuses to achieve full-time status (12 units or more). The side effects of this reduction have resulted in the rationing of classes. This also has required many students to navigate through all three colleges of the District.

The Grand Jury interviewed administrators and employees of the VCCCD, researched newspapers, educational reports, and legislation with respect to consistency of information being presented to VCCCD students. The Grand Jury collected data from VCCCD community college catalogues to assess specific inconsistencies.

The Grand Jury found CONTINUED »

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 2012
5:00 P.M. – CLOSED SESSION
6:30 P.M. - REGULAR MEETING
627 SESPE AVENUE, FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA

AGENDA
5:00 p.m.
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. ROLL CALL
C. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION AND NONAGENDA ITEMS, PETITIONS
This is the time and place to address the Board. State law prohibits the Board from acting on issues not included on the agenda; however, requests may be made for discussion of specific topics at subsequent meetings. Upon recognition by the President of the Board, please come forward and identify yourself before speaking. The Board of Education reserves the right to limit speaking time to three (3) minutes or less per individual.
D. CLOSED SESSION
The Board of Education will CONTINUED »

Ventura County Community College District Vice Chancellor, Human Resources, announced today that the Board of Trustees has narrowed the search for the successor chancellor of the District to two finalists.

In February, the District launched a national search for a Chancellor that resulted in a large and diverse pool of 35 candidates. The Chancellor Search Committee, consisting of District administrators, faculty members, classified representatives, students, and community leaders, screened the applications and interviewed ten potential candidates. Dr. James Walker, Managing Partner, Community College Search Services, the firm selected to assist the District in the search, commended the committee for its work in narrowing the field to five potential candidates. “The search committee did an exceptional job in selecting well-qualified candidates whose expertise and attributes meet the needs of the District and the community.”

The Board of Trustees CONTINUED »

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012
4:30 P.M. – CLOSED SESSION
SPECIAL MEETING
627 SESPE AVENUE, FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA

AGENDA
4:30 p.m.
A. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
B. ROLL CALL
C. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS, PETITIONS
This is the time and place to address the Board. State law prohibits the Board from acting on issues not included on the agenda; however, requests may be made for discussion of specific topics at subsequent meetings. Upon recognition by the President of the Board, please come forward and identify yourself before speaking. The Board of Education reserves the right to limit speaking time to three (3) minutes or less per individual.
D. CLOSED SESSION
The Board of Education will meet at 4:30 p.m. to consider matters appropriate for Closed Session in accordance with Government Code Sections 3549.1, 54956.7 through 54957.7 and Education Code Section 35146. If the Board does not complete Closed Session discussions at this time, the Board may adjourn to Closed Session at the end of the regular meeting. DISCLOSURE OF ITEM(S) TO BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION Labor/Negotiations (Government Code 54957.6)
o Update; Direction to District Negotiators (Dr. Alan Nishino, Dr. Michael Bush, Todd Schieferle, Margaret Chidester) for negotiations with the Fillmore Unified Teachers Association (FUTA), the California School Employees Association (CSEA), Confidential Employees, and District Administration. Public Employee Performance Evaluation: Superintendent (The Board and
Superintendent meet periodically to provide feedback to one another concerning
the achievement of goals.) Personnel Matters (Government Code 54957)
o Hiring, Evaluating, Discipline, Dismissal, Release, Reassignment, Transfers
E. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION Any Action From Closed Session
F. ADJOURNMENT
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Superintendent's Office at (805) 524-6038. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the district to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting [in accordance with Government Code 54961 and Board Bylaw 9320(a)].