Fillmore Unified School District

Mike Saviers
The Fillmore Unified School District's Board has the ultimate responsibility to set the direction in which the District will go. With that being said it is also the Board's duty to represent the entire community which makes up the District, including the superintendent, principals, teachers, support staff and the families who we represent. A board member may have a vision of where he/she wants to see the District go but if the community and the staff that make up the District which we serve does not share that vision then discussion, compromise and consensus should take precedent over the Board member's vision and a vision shared by all should be set forth and built on.
I hope that this year will be a new beginning, a beginning of trust and teamwork between the Board and the Superintendent. The Superintendent should work with the Board to implement the policies and ideas we will all share. There will be disagreements, debate can be healthy, but it should be constructive and enlightening for all. We have the opportunity to build something very special within this District and nothing should get in the way of teamwork getting it done.

Scott Beylik
It is the responsibility of the school board to have a broad vision and direction for the school district. Also, to be able to relay that direction and vision to the superintendent and the community. Then the superintendent can implement the direction and vision of the board.
The relationship I envision between myself, the board and the superintendent, is one of mutual respect, and oversight, to ensure the direction and vision of the board is being implemented with transparency. In order to transform that vision into a reality, which will better serve our students and community, I will be available for regular meetings with the superintendent to see that our direction is still on track.

Sean Morris
Who decides the direction of the District-- the School Board or the Superintendent? What kind of relationship do you envision between them if you are elected/re-elected?
The superintendent and the board must align their direction/vision to meet the needs of the district, with the ultimate responsibility of that direction being with the board.
The board’s only direct hire is the superintendent. When hiring a superintendent, the board is hopefully looking to find a leader who has a particular vision. The board should understand what direction they have for the district. The two directions may not be perfectly compatible but should reflect the values necessary to propel the staff and students towards excellence. A unified vision and goals need to be set forth by both the superintendent and the board. The board needs to reiterate that vision and make sure the necessary steps to achieve the vision are being taken and met.
I envision a good demanding relationship with the Superintendent and his direct staff. We need to listen to one another, hotly debate the issues, ask questions and develop a vision and plan to bring our schools out of academic probation. The key to any relationship is communication and trust. We need to rebuild that trust in the district, with the board and community.
The most important role a board member has is to help create an environment that fosters trust, creativity and respect. You do that by setting a clear direction, with specific measurable goals. You do that by reporting to the district and community what has been achieved and what areas need attention.
I believe the direction has been set in everyone’s mind for academic success. I believe I have the experience to help work with all the stake holders to fulfill this vision. Thank you.
Sean Morris for FUSD School Board

Lucy Rangel
According to our Board Bylaws, the School Board works with the Superintendent to fulfill its major responsibilities. One of these, of course, is setting the direction for the district. If it is to govern effectively, the Board must ensure that a long term vision is established for the district. This vision should reflect the consensus of all board members, the Superintendent, staff, and the community as to what students need in order to achieve their highest potential. The focus should be on learning and achievement for all our students. The Superintendent should provide leadership based on the direction of the board; and he should accept accountability for implementing the vision, goals, and policies of the district. Then we have a responsibility to support the Superintendent and staff as they carry out the direction of the board.
Board members have to work together as a governance team with the Superintendent to make decisions that best serve all the students in our community. I envision this team to have a trusting relationship – one of mutual respect. The board and the Superintendent should work collaboratively in order to move towards the district’s vision and goals. Communicating openly with trust and integrity is the type of relationship that is needed to ensure that our students receive the high quality education that they deserve, and that our community should expect.

Dave Wilde
Together, the school board members have to develop a vision or direction they see the district moving towards. That direction is shared with the district administration and it is their responsibility to do what must be done to accomplish those goals. The superintendent and other staff members are the hired experts to decide what programs or policies are developed to assist in their achievement. Most school board members don't have the expertise to do that on their own. The board becomes the oversight group to insure we stay on focus. Recent history suggests that the board does not always agree on the direction the district is moving in at any given time. At that point the leadership ability of your superintendent becomes very important in his/her ability to pull the board together. In my opinion the last administration failed in that category. However, I have a great deal of confidence in the people skills demonstrated by our new superintendent these past two months and don't see that being a problem. I am very excited about prospects for our district in the coming years.

Fillmore Unified School District

The School Board Candidates Forum held at Fillmore Middle School on Wednesday, September 24, 2014. The forum was arraigned by Fillmore Unified Teachers Association (FUTA) and California School Employee Association (CSEA) and conducted by FUSA President Jennifer Beal and Member Sandra Butts, CSEA Member Luanne Brock with Scott Lee was moderator and Bill Edmonds timekeeper.

The candidates included Scott Beylik, Michael Saviers and Sean Morris and the incumbent candidates included Lucy Rangel, Dave Wilde and Tony Prado. There were nine questions asked of each candidate, eight of those questions are in this report, four questions in last week’s Gazette edition; this week’s edition is running the last four questions (responses are not verbatim, what is written is a paraphrase of each person’s answer) with a closing statement from each at the end of the questioning.

Question (5) At last spring's Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) meetings, the most frequently raised concern by parents, teachers and community members was reducing class size. The district instead offered to convert more teaching positions into peer coaches, known as Teachers on Special Assignment (TOSA). Do you support pulling excellent teachers out of the classrooms to coach their peers or do you have other ideas?

Rangel; I do not CONTINUED »

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SACRAMENTO – As of October 1, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has confirmed enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) infection in 14 patients in 2014. The patients are residents of San Diego (5), Alameda (2), Los Angeles (1), Riverside (1), San Francisco (1), Santa Cruz (1), Solano (1), and Ventura (1) counties, and Long Beach City (1) it was announced today by Dr. Ron Chapman, CDPH director and state health officer.

Thirteen of these patients have had respiratory illness and one has had acute flaccid paralysis. There are other specimens from throughout the state being tested at CDPH laboratories and more cases are anticipated in the coming weeks. CDPH continues to work with local health departments to collect and test specimens from patients with severe respiratory illness and acute flaccid paralysis without other known cause.

“We are not surprised to find EV-D68 causing some illnesses in California given the apparent widespread nature of this virus in other parts of the country,” said Dr. Chapman.

On a separate investigation, CDPH has identified 35 patients as of October 1 with acute flaccid paralysis and spinal cord involvement since 2012. Of these patients, three have had infection with EV-D68, two in 2012 and one in 2014. Because EV-D68 was found in respiratory specimens from these patients, it is not known whether EV-D68 was a cause of paralysis or a coincidental finding.

EV-D68 causes respiratory illness and the virus likely spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or touches contaminated surfaces. Symptoms of EV-D68 include fever (although fever may not be present), runny nose, sneezing, cough, and body and muscle aches. Some children have more serious illness with breathing difficulty and wheezing, particularly children with a history of asthma. EV-D68 can rarely cause neurologic illness.

Parents should seek medical attention immediately for children who are having any breathing difficulty (wheezing, difficulty speaking or eating, belly pulling in with breaths, blueness around the lips), particularly if the child suffers from asthma. There is no specific treatment for persons with EV-D68, nor is there a vaccine to prevent it. However, everyone six months of age and older should receive influenza vaccine every year to protect themselves against that important cause of respiratory disease.

Health care providers should consider EV-D68 as a possible cause of acute, unexplained severe respiratory illness, even if the patient does not have fever, and consider laboratory testing of respiratory specimens for enteroviruses when the cause of respiratory illness in severely ill patients is unclear. In addition, health care providers should contact their local health departments to report cases of acute flaccid paralysis with spinal cord involvement and test these patients for possible enterovirus infection.

The best way to prevent transmission of enteroviruses is to:
• Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.

Additional information about EV-D68 can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Enterovirus D68 page.

www.cdph.ca.gov

City of Fillmore

Carrie Broggie
For more than 20 years, I have been a public servant in our county in an agency responsible to protect and serve our citizens. As a member of the executive management team ofthe District Attorney’s Office, I interact regularly with constituents, crime victims, law enforcement, elected officials, local and state agencies, as a direct representative of the District Attorney. I work on fiscal, legislative, and employment matters, as well as policy and budgetary issues that not only affect our agency, but also the community we serve which includes Fillmore.My career has provided me with in-depth experience and knowledge of public policy, and as a result, I know what it takes to find solutions, navigate complicated governmental agencies, and how to get things done.
Additionally, I have had the privilege of serving the community of Fillmore as a commissioner on the Film Commission. I am currently serving my second term as chair of the commission. During my tenure as a commissioner, film revenue inthe city has consistently exceeded all previous years. While the city was struggling financially, the Film Commission worked hard to increasefilm production that added revenue to the general fund. I am very proud of the work my fellow commissioners and I have accomplished over the past three years.
My career in public service, combined with my experience as a commissioner,brought me to where I am today as a candidate for city council. My goal is not to be a politician, but rather to be involved in my community and to continue serving with the talents, skills and knowledge I have acquired through hard work, tenacity, and many years of experience serving the public. Thank you for the opportunity to serve Fillmore.

Tim Holmgren
Being a city councilmember is about serving the community in a leadership capacity. There are many life experiences that have prepared me for the task. My earliest leadership experience was in the Boy Scouts. The Scouts teach a boy to be a solid, upstanding citizen. I’ve learned to apply the Boy Scout Law throughout my life.
As a police explorer in an LA suburb, I was trained to handle difficult and challenging situations, handling routine and emergency calls, learning to be calm under pressure and to treat all people fairly and with respect. I also served in the US Air Force as a K9 Cop. Military leadership experience is unparalleled.
Throughout my career in the computer field, I’ve been asked to step into the role of managing many projects; determining the best courses of action and seeing them through to completion. I’m also involved with a professional business organization that places a heavy emphasis on professional development, including leadership training.
Shortly after moving to Fillmore, I applied for, and was appointed to, the Planning Commission where I continue to serve today. Shortly after joining the Planning Commission, I found myself in the position of being the only member left on the commission. Four new members were appointed and I was elected to be their chairperson.
I needed to step up and I did. Now, it’s time for me to step up again and serve my community as a councilmember.
Over the past four years, I’ve been a regular fixture at council meetings. I’ve seen the items that come before the council and I know the issues the city faces and deals with. My experience qualifies me to join the council and to serve the citizens of Fillmore.

Diane McCall
As a currently appointed Fillmore City Councilmember I have the firsthand knowledge and experience required to be an effective and hardworking member of the council. Since I was appointed by the current council only 6 months after the 2012 election, I was fortunate enough to be involved in each of the instrumental decisions which have began to put Fillmore back on track. Some of these monumental examples of recovery are the tax BOE tax settlements, locating and hiring of our City Manager, bringing about a newly balanced budget and the continuation and expansion of our public safety net. As a board member of the Ventura County Sheriffs Foundation, I was able to help locate and secure a grant for Fillmore to purchase and install microwave technology cameras which will be installed on several public streets to ensure a higher level of public safety for our residents. Additionally, in my profession as a property manager I prepare and operate within numerous multi-million dollar budgets on a daily basis. I have learned that having a well planned and balanced budget is the road map to any business success. Additionally, my current working relationships with city staff, legal counsel and the current council body have matured over my tenure. These productive working relationships have created an environment where ample work gets accomplished with minimal slow down and stumbling blocks. My communication skills with city staff and the residents of Fillmore has always been, and remains completely open. I believe this transparency and honesty to be available to residents will allow a higher level of confidence in our city staff and leadership. I would be honored to represent our citizens for a full four year term and continue the great work that has began under my leadership.

Fillmore Unified School District

Around 50 concerned Fillmore residents attended the School Board Candidates Forum held at Fillmore Middle School on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 between 6:00-8:30 P.M. The forum was arraigned by Fillmore Unified Teachers Association (FUTA) and California School Employee Association (CSEA) and conducted by FUSA President Jennifer Beal and Member Sandra Butts, CSEA Member Luanne Brock with Scott Lee was moderator and Bill Edmonds timekeeper. The candidates included Scott Beylik, Michael Saviers and Sean Morris and the incumbent candidates included Lucy Rangel, Dave Wilde and Tony Prado.

There were nine questions asked of each candidate, eight of those questions are in this report, four questions in this week’s part one edition; next week’s edition will run the last four questions (responses are not verbatim, what is written is a paraphrase of each person's answer) with a closing statement from each at the end of the questioning.

Question (1); What do you see as the school board members' role and responsibility in the effective administration of the schools?

Saviers; "I see us as the ambassadors to the schools...we have to work with the families to make this a good district.....we all have the same goals...everyone needs to be involved"

Morris; "We are your representatives to do what's best for the students and create an open environment. We need to make sure the Superintendent is on the right path and work with the teachers."

Prado; "We are a vision to the community. A Board Member is not effective when they micromanage. We listen to the teachers....the Superintendent is accountable to the Board.

Beylik; The Board develops policy...needs to hold the administration accountable. The last administration spoon fed the Board. I see my roll as to hold them accountable...to visit the classrooms."

Rangel; "I'm happy that we selected the right Superintendent. There was a problem with protocol, Board Members were getting many phone calls....you have to have three Board Members to have any change, I'm only one vote. As Board Members you have to work together as a team."

Wilde; "My job is to listen, to be accessible....responsible for making sure students have the best instruction. I'm happy with the new Superintendent."

Question (2); Money woes and changing priorities in past years led to the elimination of all our elementary library clerks. Are school libraries important to you? Do you have a plan to restore or improve them?

Morris; "Libraries are very important to me. Every student should have the ability to read. Libraries are soon becoming technology centers. They should bring lecturers in.... make them learning centers. If we have the funds hire clerks."

Prado; I was born in Santa Paula. I was fortunate to have had a very good library. If I wasn't playing sports, I was at the library...it was very important to me. Libraries serve a variety of needs for a variety people. We're going to have clerks."

Beylik; "We have a limited amount of money...I would not have cut the clerks. The actual money saved was miniscule....We had to take Title I money to get the library up and going."

Wilde; The library should be the hub of all schools...a hub for learning. Computers have changed what a library is today. We need someone who knows computers working there."

Saviers; "Decisions were made in the past, I'm not here to criticize....libraries are not a frill, they are a 'need to have'. There are grants that could help. Libraries are a necessity. We could have tutoring programs there."

Question (3); Preparing students for America's jobs of the future is a national trend. What would you do in this district to increase and improve student access to modern and traditional job preparation?

Prado; "Over 66% of jobs do not require a college education...We're not sure what jobs will be in the future, but they need to be able to read and write. We need to promote health education and critical thinkers."

Beylik; We need to have career technical education. We need vocational education to provide for those not on the college track...various vocational and various electives."

Rangel; We're going to be partners with Ventura College and Business with 62 different pathways...we should take an inventory of what students are interested in."

Wilde; "The whole concept of career studies is important to me. I love the FAA program...I volunteer to sit in on the Ag Council."

Saviers; "The reality is not everyone is going to go to college...these students are our future leaders and work force....we need to upgrade our technology...we need classes for our students who are not going to college."

Morris; "We need to prioritize funds and work to get grants....we need those occupational classes...I have a lot of dreams, we can get grants."

Question (4); Funding for the maintenance of our schools and grounds has been inconsistent. How would you plan to keep our campuses in good shape?

Beylik; With limited amount of funds and an economy that was up and down the District did not have a Capital Improvement Fund. We need to set money aside, now we're paying interest on a loan...this Board hires people to do things, we need to hold them accountable."

Rangel; "The Superintendents job is to address the issue. We do need to put money aside. There has to be planning. I have great confidence in the new Superintendent."

Wilde; "The roof situation was a nightmare. It took me almost two years to be heard. It should not take two years. We should have a fund set aside. The new Superintendent is making sure there is a plan."

Saviers; "It's nice to have a contingency plan. We need our students to be safe, we need to provide the maintenance people with the resources to do the job...address the problems daily...we need to install pride."
Morris; "The roof was leaking for years...we need to set up a capital improvement fund...we need to find ways to do it."

Prado; "The school runs in a deficit, so what are you going to cut to have the funds to set aside? Where's the money going to come from? I want to bring down the classroom size. The money's got to come from somewhere."

Part two in next week’s edition of The Gazette.

Larry Caro, 46 of Piru, has died from injuries sustained in an accident last week.

Caro, a tow truck driver, had stopped his truck on the 3200 block of Hemlock Street, Oxnard at approximately 7:15am on Monday, September 22. He was standing at the back of the truck when he was hit by an SUV driven by a 23-year old Oxnard woman. The impact threw Caro under his truck.

He was transported to Ventura County Medical Center where he underwent emergency surgery. Caro succumbed to his injuries on September 27th.

The woman was treated at St. John’s Regional Medical Center for minor injuries and released.

The crash is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Senior Officer Jamie Brown at 385-7749.

The Jeff Gorell for Congress campaign today launched its second television commercial, another positive 30-second ad titled, "Leadership."

The commercial begins with a Gorell family home video from March 17, 2011, the eve of Gorell's most recent one-year deployment to Afghanistan serving as a Navy intelligence officer. Testimonials by local veterans and those who served under his command in a war zone, the ad highlights Gorell as the candidate with experience and the leadership skills to best represent the people of California's 26th Congressional District.

"Leadership" will begin running today on cable channels throughout the district.

Commander Gorell, a Navy intelligence officer, was mobilized and embedded with the U.S. Marines in Helmand, Afghanistan from 2011-2012. He was the officer-in-charge of a targeting cell, tracking Taliban movements and other insurgents. He had previously been deployed to Afghanistan in 2002.

The spot reminds viewers that U.S. and coalition forces defeated the Taliban from control over most of Afghanistan. As a result of Operation Enduring Freedom, girls are now able to attend school and women are able to seek employment in Afghanistan - many for the first time in their lives - opportunities previously barred under Taliban rule. Highlights of the ad include medals earned by Commander Gorell, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

Assemblyman Jeff Gorell was elected to the California legislature in 2010 where he serves as Vice Chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee. From 1999 to 2006, Gorell served as a Ventura County District Attorney. In addition to his military service as Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, Jeff is also on the faculty of California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks where he been an adjunct professor of public policy since 2006.

Gorell's First Television Ad

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The Fillmore High Alumni Association is going to squeeze in one more Cruise Night before our cold, dark, WET, winter sets in (Positive Thinking) at their last Alumni “Flashback Friday” event this season, on FridayOct 10th from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. Central Avenue will be closed between Main Street, and Sespe Avenue and it will be transformed into “OLD” Central Avenue, decorated with Classic Cars from years gone by. Come take a look at the beautiful cars that will be displayed. Many Alumni and non-Alumni love to bring their classic cars to Historic downtown Fillmore and show folks what they have,and what use to drive up and down Central Avenue back in the “old days”. Some of the localMerchants will also be openduring that timeto show you their old store buildings they useand merchandise in their store. The F.H.S. Alumni Association cannot stress enough, how lucky we are to have a “Historic Downtown” in our community. They will be camped out at Central Station with all their Flashes gear, Old Photo’s, and inside you’ll be able to see Old Flashes Football game film being played on the Big Flat screen T.V’s. This is a Community Event, so bring the whole family, and take a stroll to Downtown. The Fillmore High Alumni Association invites all the communities of Bardsdale, Fillmore, and Piru to come out and live in the Past at the last Alumni “Flashback Friday”event of the seasonin Beautiful Downtown Fillmore October 10th .Come plop your folding chairs right in the Middle of Central Avenue, and sit and visit with your friends and community, before our cold, dark, WET winter sets in. (Positive Thinking)