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School board will rethink its decisions on closures
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In a surprise announcement Thursday night, a Camarillo school board opened the door to rescind its recent decisions to close schools, restructure programs and shuffle students among campuses.
The Pleasant Valley School District board took those actions last month, after hundreds of parents rallied to save their schools and packed late-night meetings, and trustees listened to hours of emotional testimony.
District officials had said Pleasant Valley had run too many small schools for too long and could save $1.5 million by closing three campuses. In return, those savings could help the district offer more competitive salary and benefit packages and avoid a talent drain.
Hundreds of parents and teachers again filled City Hall on Thursday, with the board set to hold public hearings on charter schools, consider classified employee layoffs and raises, and reconsider one of its earlier decisions.
But before that took place, board President Ron Speakman announced he wanted to consider taking the changes off the table for next year, except the closure of Los Altos Middle School.
STORY TOOLS 
More from Camarillo"We made some changes as a board ... which have been difficult for many to accept," he said. People have asked for more collaboration between the school district and community members. Parents also have rallied around a newly proposed charter school, and he said the district might not end up with the results it had anticipated.
No date was set, but the three other trustees present Thursday seemed to agree to another meeting. Trustee Patty Lerner was absent.
That left many teachers concerned about promises that their salaries and benefits would be brought in line with those in other Ventura County districts.
Speakman said he remains committed to improving salary and benefits and has met with city officials who have offered to help.
"I consider the offer to be legitimate," he said. "It's the real deal."
Several teachers said they don't share his confidence.
In other board business:
n Trustees unanimously reversed their decision to eliminate middle schoolers from Santa Rosa Technology Magnet School and make it a K-8. Parents had provided trustees a financial report and parent survey showing the decision made last month would cost the district money and students.
n Trustees signed off on classified staff reductions Thursday night. They also approved a 4 percent raise retroactive to July 1 for the classified staff, as well as management employees. Certificated staff received a similar raise earlier this year.
n During a public hearing on a new charter school application, parents supporting the proposed Camarillo Academy of Progressive Education said they wanted it to open in the fall. That was despite Speakman's suggestion that earlier decisions that restructured and scaled back their current school might be reversed.
"We want a school with a single philosophy, all of our programs and practices, and a principal, teachers and families who know and embrace the open method," said parent Theresa Barraza. "Chartering is our only option."
n University Preparation School, which opened nearly five years ago, has applied for its K-5 charter to be renewed, and parents, teachers and administrators touted their school at a public hearing Thursday night.
Posted by suzy0601 on April 20, 2007 at 7:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Unbelievable! Lets confuse parents even more and maybe reverse our decision again! Why not?!!! Will the board kindly make up their minds, and stand behind their decisions. My children would like to know where they are going to school in the fall!
To the parents that are going with CAPE, if the board keeps Los Senderos open, then you have won your fight. Do not make it more difficult than it needs to be.
Posted by Laurie on April 20, 2007 at 7:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
In spite of Mr. Speakman's statement about possibly reversing the board's decision to close our school, we are continuing our plan to form CAPE. 1) We have to plan as if Los Senderos Open School will be closed, and continue to get our ducks in a row to be ready for fall, & 2) Even if they plan to keep us open for another year, there is no guarantee that they won't close us next year. In my opinion, in a perfect world they would keep us open for another year, while they work with us to get CAPE up and running for the 08-09 school year. We are not going to go away.
Posted by dalbabes on April 20, 2007 at 7:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There is no talent drain in the district. Teachers have tenure, which makes them not jump from district to district. As for new teachers, well getting a job anywhere is a dream come true. Working in as nice a place as Camarillo isn't something to sneeze at.
Posted by Camman on April 20, 2007 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh brother, here we go again...
Posted by ktwito on April 20, 2007 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The board did not vote to rescind decisions last night; Ron Speakman merely threw out the suggestion that they reconsider the closures/moves (except for Los Altos). A meeting next week should provide further discussion, but not necessarily a decision. A move to halt the CAPE charter process would be premature at this point, given the board's track record on reversing itself. And as Laurie stated above, the optimum plan is to have the 2008-09 school year to amicably work out the details of CAPE in a proper timeframe, to the benefit not only of CAPE families, but to district staff and the rest of the PVSD families they serve.
Posted by rob on April 20, 2007 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it's time this board face a complete recall. It is clear that they have no idea how to handle tough situations when it comes to managing a school district. First they unexpectedly propose the closures. Then they commision the 7-11 committee as their scapegoat. When that backfired they delayed making a decision on their own until the last minute and when they did it was one that had not even seen the light of day prior to it's approval. Now they think it would be better to just forget it all! Are these the people you want deciding the future of our district? Toying with our children's lives and pitting us against each other? I think not! Perhaps we, as a collective community, should file legal action against the board and the district for the emotional distress this has caused all of us. Maybe then they will see what a horrific job they are doing!
Posted by CamarilloResident on April 20, 2007 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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Posted by illuminate on April 20, 2007 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This whole process has been and continues to be an embarassment and a disaster. What a disservice to the families of Camarillo. I completed agree with Rob's comments, above.
Posted by casmac on April 20, 2007 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As a new teacher in the Pleasant Valley School District, I am shocked and offended at the notion that I should be grateful to have any job- especially in Camarillo- as if the status of working in Camarillo compensates our low pay? I have worked in other areas of the state and know that kids can be great no matter if they live in Camarillo or downtown Los Angles. How narrow minded to think that just because a teacher is new that they somehow do not deserve a competitive salary. I have spent years and money obtaining an education that has prepared me to be an excellent teacher. I went into teaching thinking that I could make a difference... now reality has set in upon the realization that I cannot afford to support a family, much less purchase a home. I know I am a talented teacher, but after working 60-70 hour weeks- I am DRAINED. Other teachers are drained- and this will indeed lead to a talent drain. Without salary increases, I will absolutely leave this field- and the unfortunate reality of that situation is that students will be left with teachers that resent their jobs because ignorant community members believe that just because teachers are tenured they don't want or deserve more money. I surely hope these are the opinions of the minority, because if this is the mentality of Camarillo- I want no part of it.
Posted by DfromTO on April 20, 2007 at 11:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As a parent living in Thousand Oaks, but who works in the area, I had to respond to casmac re: teachers' salaries. I don't think anyone disputes the fact that teachers work hard and put in long hours during the school year. But life is about choices. You have chosen to take a position in Camarillo, I would think in part, because the area is nice and the schools are safe. In addition, in an area like Camarillo, there is likely more parent involvement in the classroom, and parental support, financially, for programs that may not be available elsewhere (again, I'm not in this district but this is true of CVUSD). You could have instead chosen to take a position down in LA and likely received a higher salary. But you would be working in a classroom that may not be safe, and either doing a long commute or living in an undesirable area. Or, another possibility is you could have chosen to live in an area of the state where real estate prices are lower and you could afford to buy a house on your salary. In this area, a working household with two strong incomes are lucky if they can afford a house. But we make the choice to stay here, because we want to live in a small, safe community. And, in my opinion, to have teachers telling parents they deserve a raise at the cost of closing schools is unreasonable (and in my opinion, against everything that teachers should stand for, which is what is in the best interests of the students). I, too, went to college (on my own dime), and struggle to be able to afford a decent lifestyle. But where I live and what I chose to do was my choice, and I don't expect anyone to sacrifice because of my choices.
Posted by casmac on April 20, 2007 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with much of what DfromTO stated. I am so thankful to have choice- I grew up in Camarillo and intend to stay here. I do not want to leave to teach elsewhere so that I may afford a house. But the bottom line is that I will have change career fields in order to support myself. This is saddening because I did not enter education for money- it was to make a difference in the lives of students... I hate having to leave the students I have become so fond of- but sacrificing my own happiness and well being does no one any good. I know I am not alone in my need (not desire) to leave teaching in order to build a future.
Posted by fujo on April 20, 2007 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't blame the parents just for fighting for their children's education. This is all about the mismanagement of the board. Why did they have so little foresight that they built two new schools in the past ten years - and then decide they need to close others? Also, why is one program moved intact (Los Primeros), except that they now have to take neighborhood children (which Los Senderos always has), while another (Los Senderos) is moved in name only. Now all of a sudden (because 350 kids were going to leave the district), the board suddenly feels that they CAN possibly work it out without closing schools. Why was Los Primeros given these supposed advantages (moving teachers and staff with them) while Los Senderos was expected to just restart at a new location with a new staff that had no understanding of how Los Senderos operates? It seems to me like that puts the interest of one group ahead of another - and for no good reason other than politics and connections.
As to Rob's comment about the board being recalled - I think that is becoming more inevitable by the day. And deservedly so.
As for the Open Philosophy - it can mean a lot of different things to different parents. To me, it is parents and teachers working together in the classroom, allowing creativity to flourish, and getting students to understand that the learning is the reward - not gold stars or special status. The class operates differently, as there are usually several parents in the classroom keeping everyone working productively. I'm sure others could expand on this...
Posted by rob on April 20, 2007 at 4:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
After reading some of the new comments, I want to add a few more of my own.
I work for the district part time at my kids school. I know our teachers very well and I understand exactly what they are going through. What this board is doing is not only unfair to us as parents and our kids, it is unfair to our teachers.
The fact that one would even go so far as to say a teacher chose to work here so they should deal with the pay level is absurd. There have been numerous attempts at pay raises here. And they all came up short compared to other districts. Does that mean a local teacher should just have to deal with the inability of the board to make the pay raises happen? No! Should they think about leaving? I would!
And as for the different philosophies in schools, they all have their merrits. I can't knock any of them because I only know of the one my kids experience. Choice is good. But if you want the choice you want good teachers too. And if this kind of garbage that is happening here keeps up, it won't matter what choice there is because our wonderful teachers will move on to a district that treats them fairly and pays them what they deserve for a job well done.
Posted by JenLynn on April 20, 2007 at 5:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is way out of control...RECALL the board!! Speakman first!!
Give our wonderful teachers more money!
Posted by JimTram on April 20, 2007 at 5:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Life is about choices and the consequences of those choices. I am assuming the teachers did choose their respective positions after a careful review of the compensation packages.
Talent Drain - show me the data.
I would also like to see the respective school board publish a cost breakout of teachers compensation, other employee compensation, educational related materials, and facilites costs. While at it - their own qualifications and value to the process!
Posted by PVRecall on April 20, 2007 at 7:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Last week a committee was formed to sponsor the recall of the Pleasant Valley School Board. Paperwork has been filed with the County and the State. The name of the committee is Pleasant Valley Recall Committee. If you would like more information, or would like to volunteer please send an e-mail to PVRecall@gmail.com.
There is much work that needs to be done but the committee is well organized and will be able to put all hands to work. Please contact PVRecall@gmail.com ASAP so that PV Recall may develop its e-mail list.
Posted by kfisher on April 21, 2007 at 12:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am a teacher in the PVSD. I did choose to work in Pleasant Valley, knowing the compensation package offered at the time I accepted my position. I do appreciate working in a community that is safe and where many parents are involved with, and interested in, their children’s education.
That being said, I should not be expected to just sit and accept that the compensation package for teachers in Camarillo continues to decline. We are expected to contribute more and more towards our healthcare every year and our salary/benefit increases have not even been equal to the cost of living increase in funding provided by the state. Like any professional, I should expect to be paid the market rate for my services. This is not happening.
Several people who have written letters to the VC Star have spoken of the open market economy and how they believe parents should have choices for their children’s education, just like they have choices for grocery stores or gas stations. I don't disagree, but they must see that the free market will also result in the transfer of the best employees to the best working conditions. With seven years of teaching experience, most school districts will offer to compensate me for all of my experience. I lose nothing in a transfer to another district; I only gain. For every teacher who moves to a different district or retires, a new teacher must be hired. If PVSD trustees do not quickly change their philosophy of compensating teachers, there will be more and more teachers leaving the district to go elsewhere. That will result in a noticeable talent drain. Don't misunderstand, new teachers are an important part of a school staff; they bring new energy, new ideas, new strategies, and new opportunities for growth. However, for those new teachers to develop into excellent, experienced teachers, they must have mentors. Without stability and a broad rage of experience on a school staff, the wheels keep being reinvented - and not necessarily to the benefit of the students. There is a reason that new doctors work as interns and residents with strong, experienced doctors; they need to learn from the experience of those who have honed their skills over time by working with real patients, not just by reading books and taking classes from professors who are not actively practicing. Just as you wouldn't want to be cared for in a hospital staffed by doctors who all have 7 years or less of experience practicing medicine, you wouldn't want your children to be educated in a school where all the teachers had 7 years or less of experience as practicing teachers.
PVSD teachers continue to teach in the district because we have been told, year after year, that our compensation will improve; we just have to wait another year. Well, I'm done waiting. I no longer believe that the trustees intend to compensate teachers at a level reflective of the surrounding communities. Their actions speak much louder than their words.
Posted by JimTram on April 21, 2007 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have looked at some of the cost data supplied by the school district. Too broad of a brush stroke for me to accurately nail things down. Of course compensation was the biggest part of the budget picture. What I did not see was any sort of reduction in total compensation despite a decline in student population.
From personal experience - to accurately flush-out the real costs. A privatization study needs to be performed.
If I sound biased I am - teachers attending the board meetings in the midst of possible closures and perhaps ignoring the subsequent discomfort to parents and students, while still championing their own agenda is disgusting. Teachers - you are your own worst enemy. Facts are facts, perception is the new reality!
Posted by teacher on April 21, 2007 at 8:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So JimTram- Are you saying that if PVSD was a Ford plant somewhere in the midwest and talks of downsizing and economizing were being discussed, the employees shouldn't show up? Think of PVSD as a business. The employees (AKA teachers) are at the board meetings because they have a vested interest in these discussions. We attend to support our fellow colleagues, as well as our students & families.
Posted by JimTram on April 21, 2007 at 10:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
staylor:
Good points, however I never seen or conducted/attended an employee down-sizing meeting with the customers present as I deem it inappropriate!
I consider the parents and children customers.
"Think of PVSD as a business" ...and as such it should conduct itself as one, and base decisions on data. Market-driven data!
Posted by kfisher on April 22, 2007 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The current market compensates employees at a much higher rate than PVSD...that's the whole point the teachers are trying to get across. We can't afford to "wait it out." If the board of trustees does nothing to increase the teachers' compensation package, we will have to go elsewhere.
Who will teach your children? What will the applicant pool for the lowest paying district in the county look like? Who will teach your children?
Posted by JimTram on April 22, 2007 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"The current market compensates employees at a much higher rate than PVSD...that's the whole point the teachers are trying to get across."
Privatization studies may validate your statement.
To answer your question on who will teach the children - as anywhere else in the marketplace, there are those in line.
Posted by teachereducator on April 22, 2007 at 8:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Teachers do need to be compensated and parents do need choice. These should not be in opposition of each other. Why isn't anyone asking what the superintendent and his assistants are doing? Moffett, Davis, and Maez have done a great job getting the parents and teachers to battle it out and let the board take the blame. They have been caught in half truths throughout this whole process, yet no one is holding them accountable! The 7-11 meetings were a joke! Great community members joined the committee only to be given false information and direction to do what Moffett wanted.
Who is taking over Moffett's place when he leaves in June. I hope not Davis or Maez! They do not have the skills to pull the community back together or the integrity to even lead. Let's move on to a new leadership group in the district, get back to focusing on the kids and while we do this...give the teachers the raise they deserve. The money is there and with the City's help...it can be done. Get rid of the ineffective leaders who aren't being honest!
Posted by laracf on April 25, 2007 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why have the teachers become the bad guys in so many of these comments? School closures are not just about increases in compensation packages. They are also about making sure that supplemental programs do not suffer, that students' needs are met, and that children can attend a school that is consistently well-maintained. If the school board does not take action to make our district financially responsible, many of the programs that students, teachers, and parents enjoy will disappear.
At Los Altos, as teachers of special programs retired, they were not replaced. Have you seen what has happened to the speech program? Did your child participate in a district speech tournament this year or last year? Unless you have a 3rd grader, they did not have that option because the program has vanished. And how about the support for our English language learners? Six years ago, ELL students received one-on-one or small group instruction multiple days a week from a specialist. Now, they get help from a grossly over worked district office staff busily supporting every school.
Everyone involved wants what is best for children. Parents absolutely want the best for their children, but once their children leave the district, teachers will still be here caring for the next group of students. We have to think long-term and support the school board in making decisions --- albeit tough ones ---that make sense financially.
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