Mr. Chuey Ortiz, owner of El Pescador was awarded with a Power of One certificate.

Receiving recognition for participating in the “E-Scrip” program was (r-l) Kathy Lisle of Vons and Martin Hernandez of Super A, along with the E-Scrip coordinator Lori Dyer, and school board member Virginia De la Piedra.

On Tuesday, June 15th the Fillmore Unified School Board of Trustees met for a regular meeting. The school year ended last week, Board President Tony Prado was not present, but school business carries on with concerned citizens asking the Board for clarifications on spending while the Board scrambles to cover it’s next payroll payment as the County claims money recently put in District accounts.

The Board heard again from Mrs. Mary Ford of Fillmore regarding concern over the situation in Piru and referred to the recent actions of Sweeney in hiring a mediator to help, but “how can the mediator do her job if these teachers are going to be moved” asked Ford. Board materials confirm that the District paid Ms. Cynthia Kings company Communication Catalysts $10,000.00 for “mediation services” over the next year. During an interview King commented that following a year end meeting with staff last week she feels the process is “Off to a good start, [emphasizing start] and I have met some wonderful people that I look forward to working with”. King was not part of the decision making process to pass the Resolution allowing the involuntary transfer of teachers from Piru School but she does intend to meet individually with all School Board members as part of the process. King will be meeting with community members in Piru and then performing “in-service” work during the upcoming school year.
Public comment continued with Fillmore resident, Ms. Ide Ramirez presenting questions to Sweeney regarding options for parents wishing to transfer students out of the District. Ramirez demanded that the District stop giving parents false information regarding their legal options. “We have been in touch with Moorpark, Ojai, Santa Paula, Ventura Unified and [they] have no recollection of denying enrollment to Fillmore [students] as a matter of fact they have asked us to give you the message that as long as they have room in their non “PI” schools they will continue to welcome FUSD [students]”. The final two public comment speakers brought questions to the Board regarding records of expenditures specifically at Piru School, for programs to benefit the students, and for facility improvement. Sweeney commented, and Assistant Superintendent Mike Bush later confirmed that $1.3 Million in projects have been applied for to go to Williams Act projects at Piru School, but that the District has been waiting for two years for the funding to be approved, although Bush did mention that he expects approval in July, the money will not come until the State releases funds. Bush emphasized that “we have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars already” on Piru School facility projects - including painting and repairing asphalt which the District felt was an “immediate safety risk” - and that those dollars will be reimbursed to the District when the money arrives from the State.

In recognizing the great contribution of dedication, time, and good food to District events, Mr. Chuey Ortiz, owner of El Pescador was awarded with a Power of One certificate. Receiving recognition for participating in the “E-Scrip” program was Ms. Kathy Lisle of Vons and Mr. Martin Hernandez of Super A, along with the E-Scrip coordinator Ms. Lori Dyer. Board Clerk Ms. Virginia De La Piedra presented certificates that thanked them for their efforts, which has resulted in over $100,000.00 being contributed to the District.

Board reports focused on the recent promotion and graduation ceremonies, with several board members commenting on how well the Piru kids were dressed, and the pride they felt at both Fillmore and Sierra High School’s graduation ceremonies.

Fillmore Middle School students, Miss Viridiana Quintana and Miss Yulissa Fregoso will be traveling to Sacramento as a reward for their achievement in the recent Migrant Speech & Debate Tournament in Ventura County. Quintana and Fregoso placed first in a group of over 450 students. The trip is being funded by the Migrant Education program through the Ventura County Office of Education and is coordinated by Dr. Joe Mendoza, director of Special Educations Populations Support, a division of VCOE.

According to Bush, due to a computer malfunction the preliminary budget for the 2010-2011 school year could not be printed for Board members at this time. “We were a couple hundred thousand dollars off, and now we’re a few million [short for] payroll at the end of the month, we’re about $1.5 million short” Bush reported. He explained that earlier this year the District had planned to borrow money to cover an anticipated shortage, but last month when the Governor’s plan was approved to shift redevelopment agency funds to school districts, FUSD received a good chunk of money in their accounts. He said that in an unprecedented move the County Controller served a notice on the District that this money must now be handed over to the County. So FUSD is now borrowing until the July State apportionment payment.

Board adjourned to June 29th at 6pm.