Doris Nichols & Daniel
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Daniel Mendoza, a student at Fillmore Middle School, has taken the first step to becoming an internationally recognized artist by winning the local competition sponsored by the Fillmore Lions Club.

Daniel’s poster was among more than 170 entries in Fillmore. There are over 375,000 entries submitted world wide in the 26th annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest. Lions Clubs International is sponsoring the contest to emphasize the importance of world peace to young people everywhere.

Daniel’s poster was selected for its originality, artistic merit, and portrayal of the contest theme, “Our World, Our Future”. The judging was held November 6 at the Fillmore Middle School.

The judges were again impressed by the expression and creativity of the students’ art. It is obvious that these young people have strong ideas about what peace means to them. Fillmore Lions Club is proud that we were able to provide them with the opportunity to share their visions with other students and our city.

Mr. Daniel Mendoza’s poster has advanced to face stiff competition through the district, multiple districts and international rounds of competition.

One grand prize winner and 23 merit award winners will be selected. The grand prize includes a cash award of US $5,000, plus a trip for the winner and two family members to the awards ceremony at Lions Day with the United Nations. The 23 merit award winners will each receive a certificate and a cash award of US $500.

Runner-up students were Cody Balderas and Ana Manzo. All participants are students in Mrs. Doris Nichols' art class at Fillmore Middle School. Mrs. Nichols is commended for her assistance in this annual event.

The new rules out of Sacramento for school funding were discussed at Tuesday’s Fillmore Unified School Board Meeting. The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) replaces the previous K-12 finance system and uses a base grant to start, and added supplemental and concentration grants to those schools that qualify. The base grant varies depending on grade span but the average is $7,643 and provides and adjustment of 10.4% (of the base) additional funds for grades K-3rd (if the class enrollment is 24 pupils or less). There is also a 2.6% added funds for grades 9-12th and 20% additional funds for targeted disadvantaged students which includes English learners (EL), students eligible to receive a free or reduced-price meal and foster youth. A concentration grant equal to 50% of the adjusted base grant is given to schools/districts where the targeted students exceed 55% enrollment.

According to the California Department of Education website; "Until full implementation local education agencies will receive roughly the same amount of funding they received in 2012-2013 plus an additional amount each year to bridge the gap between current funding levels and the new LCFF target levels. The budget projects the time frame for full implementation of the LCFF to be eight years."

K-3rd grants are projected to range from $6,845 to $10,769; 4-6th $6,947 to $9,899; 7-8th $7,154 to $10,194; and 9-12th $8,289 to $12,119. California spent $57,923,591,137 on education during the 2011-2012 school year and in 2013, $50,584,391,000 went to k-12 and higher education, which is over 53% of the state's general fund.
All schools receiving state funding are required to develop and adopt a three-year Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) beginning on July 1, 2014. The process starts next month and administrators must determine where the students’ needs are greatest using guidelines adopted by the California State Board of Education. The plan must be drafted by March 31, 2014. From May thru June 30th public input will be solicited and a proposed plan presented to a parents advisory committee for review and comment. Because English learners make up more than 15% of FUSD enrollment there will also be a District English Learner Advisory Committee which must include parents. The process requires administrators consult with school employees, parents and students for advice, and also have an open discussion at a public meeting, solicit written comments from the public, respond to comments from the parent advisory committee and adopt the plan during a public hearing.

LCAP requires established CONTINUED »

City of Fillmore

01/14/14
Shots Fired
500 Blk. Mountain View St.
Keep the Peace
200 Blk. Olive St.
01/15/14
Vandalism
500 Blk. Via Rodeo
Narcotics violation
600 Blk. Shiells Drive
Search Warrant
200 Blk Palm St.
Keep the Peace
1000 Blk. Tudor Lane
Violation Restraining Order
300 Blk. 4th St.
Theft Residential
100 Blk. 3rd St.
01/16/14 CONTINUED »

On Saturday, January 11 at 1:59pm, Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a gunshot victim laying on the road in the 1600 block of Grand Ave. Upon arrival, the deputies discovered two victims were shot near a party at a residence on Grand Ave. A male adult, Adrian Moreno, 18 of Fillmore, sustained fatal injuries.

A second gunshot victim was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The investigation is continuing. A party of approximately 50 was taking place at the time.

Morena sustained a gunshot wound to the chest. There are no suspects in custody.

Investigators are seeking the public’s help. Anyone with information is urged to call Sheriff’s Major Crimes at (805) 384-4730. Information by Captain Don Aguilar Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

There were a number of agenda items on the first Fillmore City Council meeting of 2014. It began with a presentation by Fire Chief Rigo Landeros regarding the Centennial Celebration. Other items included Facility Use Policy, an ordinance for landlords to evict criminals from rental properties, and an introduction of some new additions to City Staff and Police.

Fire Chief Rigo Landeros representing the Fire Foundation, presenting all Council Members, the City Manager and the Fillmore Firemen, with an embossed Fire Badge honoring Fillmore's Centennial Celebration. The badges will be worn by Fillmore's Fire Department throughout the year and then retired in a Lucite sleeve to be displayed at their homes or offices.

Patrick Maynard, was also recognized for, among many other things, helping establish the Fire Foundation and obtaining grants adding up to $225,000 that went towards equipment such as breathing apparatus and radios. Maynard, who was not in attendance, also designed the Fillmore Centennial Logo. He will also be given a bottle of wine with the City Logo.

Landeros also thanked all the organizations and individuals for the success of the Toy Giveaway in December, with thanks to the Sheriffs Department and a special thank-you to Maynard who did much of the organizing. This year’s giveaway saw the largest crowd of families since the program began 16 years ago. There were 362 toys given to boys, 373 to girls and 373 to adults in the community.

Fillmore seems to CONTINUED »

The Fillmore Lions Club has announced that this year’s Student Speaker Contest will be held on February 3 – a Monday at the Fillmore Scout House at the end of Sespe Ave. Pole Creek. The topic will be “Community Service – What does it mean? And why does it matter?” The topic is interesting and very relevant to High School Students as all student have to do community service in order to graduate and as part of their High School curriculum. To be a good citizen it is necessary to volunteer in community activities and to do meaningful community service. This topic will be very interesting to the students and to the citizens of Fillmore. Chair Bill Edmonds states that the total prize money in scholarships and cash will again be over $21,000. The Fillmore winner will receive $75 and will advance to the next round. Runner ups will receive $25. The winner goes on to compete against the winners of other local Lions club contest on March 13 in Camarillo. All high school age youth who live within the Fillmore Unified School District boundaries are eligible to compete. This includes home taught students, foreign exchange students as well as Fillmore residents who attend another high schools.

Students who wish to enter may contact Bill Edmonds at 524-4839 or Jennifer Fitzpatrick the FHS English teacher. Edmonds emphasizes that public speaking competition will be very worthwhile to the students and very interesting to their and to the community. Public speaking competition will also look very good on college applications and resumes. Students should get started early because it takes time to develop and practice a good speech.

Fillmore Unified School District

The Cosca Group has been hired to locate candidates for the Fillmore Unified School District Superintendent position. A public meeting will be held in English/Spanish on Wednesday, January 22 at 6:30pm, Sespe Auditorium. It is located in the FUSD building. The public will be asked to contribute their opinions as to the strengths of the District, the critical needs of the District, and Characteristics sought in a new Superintendent. Walk-in option for giving input on Thursday, starting at 5pm, same location.