[7], Recall supporters said they were not in favor of the consolidation of the high schools. I think I have the ability to listen and work with all kinds of different people.. William Olzman, a former El Molino and Analy teacher, also applied. A recall effort targeting Board President Kellie Noe and Vice President Jeanne Fernandes, who both supported the merger, failed in August after organizers did not collect enough signatures for a ballot initiative. Miss Ferdinandson is like a cornerpiece to our school and its going to be really strange without her, Steinberg said. [1][2] Fadave resigned in July 2021, citing personal reasons. Milan Mimi Buttke, a Forestville resident and one of the lead organizers, said the group is aiming to collect closer to 9,000 signatures to ensure they have enough to qualify. I wish things were different with school funding and we were in a different position and the reality is the states not giving us money.[1], Ethically, its probably been harder for me than anybody else on the board, Fernandes, a graduate of Analy High School, said about her vote to consolidate the schools. Create New Account. There havent been any answers, Beal said. She said as a board member, she would want to go through the budget line by line to unearth the details of more vague areas of the budget where a difference could be made to uphold the priorities of teachers, parents and students. The county office has $65,000 budgeted for such studies, he said. I have heard that some of those who will be leaving are publicly expressing frustration with my leadership style, Meredith said in an email. They included Analy alumni who were determined to preserve their schools legacy, current staff and students who wanted to continue efforts to build a strong institution after the merger, and El Molino supporters who wanted to ensure their schools legacy wasnt forgotten. Continue to develop supports for students, staff and families so that students flourish academically, socially and emotionally. [4], To get the recalls against Noe and Fernandes on the ballot, supporters had to submit 7,187 signatures from registered voters by August 28, 2021. But at the point in the process that were at, our deadline is only three weeks away. West Sonoma County Consortium7050 Covey Rd.Forestville, CA 95436Phone: 707-824-7911Fax: 707-634-7413rvelasquez@wscuhsd.org. The board members targeted in the recall Board President Kellie Noe, Vice President Jeanne Fernandes and Trustee Laurie Fadave say the recall is an expensive and ineffective solution, costing the school district potentially over $100,000 to hold an unscheduled election just months before three seats, including Noes and Fernandes, go up for reelection next November. All the districts would have a perspective, he said. The West Sonoma County Union High School District is deeply grateful for their "tireless effort and energy they have given to our entire school community, Aiello said, adding that the board wishes them the best in their endeavors. I looked at it saying we might be able to get through the 2021-22 school year without consolidating, but it might do more damage to go that route than if we just went ahead and consolidated, Nagle said. Learning is a transformative experience. Here is a list of the districts involved in the study, their enrollment and percentage of students who qualify for a free or reduced-price lunch. [3] The departures of Analy Principal Shauna Ferdinandson and vice principals Erin Elliott and Rachel Lasek come after they led the school through the controversial consolidation with El Molino High, a failed attempt at rebranding, a teachers strike, multiple fires and the pandemic. This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone. Both seats are four-year terms (2021-2024). UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy: Analy High School and El Molino High School consolidated. The recall organizers need to gather a minimum of 7,187 valid signatures to get the issue to a ballot, Proto said. More involvement in decision-making through committees and forums would give the public an opportunity to increase fundraising for the schools because they would be more aware of what was being cut and why, Aiello said. September 14: Loup City Public Schools, Nebraska She said the possibility of consolidating high schools had to be considered very carefully and she hopes to find ways to keep money in classrooms and restore vocational education classes to attract inter-district transfers rather than cut classes. UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy: Unhappy over plans to consolidate Analy and El Molino high schools, advocates of trying to reverse the decision say they have about half the signatures they need ahead of an Aug. 28 deadline. I had the good fortune to work with and learn from some very skilled administrators and take part in professional development opportunities which will allow me to serve the community well on the high school board now. Further controversy arose in September when the board appointed Sebastopol resident Patrick Nagle to fill the vacancy. I think its important for everyone to understand that, Pederson said. You can reach Staff Writer Alana Minkler at 707-526-8531 or alana.minkler@pressdemocrat.com. That is something that our community very highly values.. Sonoma County has 40 K-12 school districts: 31 elementary, 3 high school, and 6 unified. This would be the first local consolidation study undertaken since the state in 2013 adopted its Local Control Funding Formula model of doling out funds to schools. 15th Annual Sonoma County Transition Fair, Notice of Public Hearing - Wed, June 15th 5:00 pm, MAP OPTIONS FOR CVRA TRANSITION FROM AT-LARGE TO BY-TRUSTEE AREA ELECTIONS, New System of Electing Governing Board Members, West Sonoma County Union High School District. Troy Flint, public information officer for the California School Boards Association, said his organization is aware of an unprecedented number of recall efforts unfolding against school board members across the state. The consolidation was proposed last year as a potential solution to the districts projected $1.2 million structural deficit. The study will include all 10 districts that feed into the West County high school district: Fort Ross, Montgomery, Guerneville, Monte Rio, Forestville, Harmony, Oak Grove, Sebastopol, Twin Hills and Gravenstein. Nagle, who briefly attended Analy High School and works now as a sales manager for Mission Foods in Santa Rosa, was sworn in immediately after three of the four board members voted to appoint him to a spot vacated by another board member in July. That would be approximately a month before most final budget decisions are made, and nine months before the regularly scheduled November election. year. Dont destroy all the Analy history that weve all created, said one caller who described himself as a member of its class of 1980. | For many districts, salary and benefits packages can account for between 80% and 85% of a districts budget. Unified districts provide K-12 education. Tasha Mattison, one of the leaders of the recall committee, said that the board members unfairly favored Analy High School. I want to assure our school community that we will manage these transitions with a commitment to protect the wonderful educational climate that exists, and continues to grow, at our schools.. In addition, she wants to promote a drive to increase enrollment with the three schools diverse programming as a draw for youth looking for an alternative education. You have to have an atmosphere where people feel the freedom to express themselves and ideas without judgement, and that we look at everything intellectually and that we put everything out on the table, and we discuss it, he said. The West County name has not brought together our community, she said. I have continued to follow local and state public education issues and legislation after concluding my tenure on the SUSD board. The district assigned her to find ways to save money in either curriculum development or textbook adoption, Fadave said. The three leaders have accepted positions at neighboring school districts, confirmed Julie Aiello, board president of West Sonoma County Union High School District. Board Agendas COVID-19 Information . While Zoom board meetings provide the community opportunities to engage, she said it wasnt an ideal situation. She also hosted and recruited other families to host foreign exchange students for the EF Student Exchange Program. West Sonoma County UHSD 462 Johnson Street Sebastopol, CA 95472 Phone: 707-824-6403 Fax: 707-634-7363. Board member Angie Lewis dissented following a discussion that lasted nearly two hours and reflected the tumultuous year of protests, lawsuits and recall efforts in response to the consolidation. The vote directs Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools Steve Herrington to begin the process of hiring a firm to conduct the study, which Herrington estimates could take as long as a year to complete. www.wscuhsd.org, Analy High School (9-12) Learning is a transformative experience. Because you dont agree with me is not a reason to put me up for recall, Fernandes said. Analysis is expected to include, but not be limited to, transportation, existing district-specific voter-approved bonds, the varying property tax structures between districts, differing state funding formulas based on student population, union bargaining agreements, the state of facilities and enrollment trends, among other factors. Fernandes and Noe called the expense wasteful, in light of their plans to leave the board less than a year after any recall election would be held. Three female administrators who shepherded Analy High School in Sebastopol through tumultuous times over the last several years have announced their resignations and are taking positions at other schools. The interim Superintendent of the West Sonoma County Union High School District has resigned. Ballotpedia covers public school districts in the 100 largest cities in America by population, as well as the 200 largest public school districts by student enrollment. Citizens of west county have the opportunity this election season to vote for two new members of the West Sonoma County Union High School District (WSCUHSD . I have solid background in the classroom. His seat will come up for reelection in November 2022. Budgets are increasingly stretched and enrollment is falling across the county. When students and school staff feel safe and respected, engagement grows and learning is improved. Regardless of whether the recall is successful in west Sonoma County, the school district board is due for a shake-up with the November election. And while I will not discuss specific personnel situations, in general, I want to encourage all members of our staff to reach out if they ever have an employment concern so that it may be addressed promptly and responsibly.. Lasek, Analys vice principal since 2021, will begin as vice principal and curriculum director at both Park Side School and Brook Haven Middle School in Sebastopol on July 1, said Sebastopol Union School District Superintendent Linda Irving. Board Agendas COVID-19 Information . One of his main concerns was that people would form factions of administration, teachers, unions, parents and students, and refuse to work together. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. But representation for the more remote regions of the district, by a current resident, continues to be a sticking point. Another caller, who identified herself as a current sophomore, said reverting back to Analy would take away one last piece of identity among the former El Molino students. Ballotpedia tracked 92 school board recall efforts against 237 board members in 2021. But we also look to local schools to do much more than teach children; they are tasked with feeding them, socializing them and offering skills in leadership and civics. Its not new to Sonoma County and not a surprise, given that in a county of our size we have 40 different school districts, he said. Citizens of west county have the opportunity this election season to vote for two new members of the West Sonoma County Union High School District (WSCUHSD) Board of Trustees, the board that oversees Analy, El Molino and Laguna high schools. However, she said the board would need to think creatively and explore the feasibility study on consolidating districts. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. I understand their sense of loss and the uncertainty about how this will affect their children. Ferdinandson started at the district in 2000 as an English teacher and in 2021 became principal of the school, which had just been renamed West County High School in an attempt to rebrand it after its merger with El Molino High School. Even then, talks about the district budget were tense, Noe said. West Sonoma County Union High School District is looking for an Administrative Assistant for the Special Education Consortium. Menu . But I think that on a school board, its important to have a teachers point of view, she said. CLOSE OUT 51/75432-00-001 . I understand the west county, I never left the west county other than when I was in the military, he said. The West Sonoma County Union High School District (WSCUHSD) will have two seats open in November. With your help, I'll be tackling the questions that vex us: (the funny, the mundane,andthe irritating.). Board Appointment - January 23, 2019 mjwebb240@sbcglobal.net . Gravenstein Union School District Superintendent Dave Rose said he wasnt surprised by the high school districts move. Fadave said the experience of running an import retail business for 20 years, keeping those financial records and bookkeeping for her husbands private practice in speech pathology also prepared her to work with a budget. (707) 824-2300 | Fax: (707) 827-7936 Nagle confirmed that while he was a member of the superintendents budget committee last year, he came to support the idea of consolidating the two high schools. The reality is we have to be able to look at everything, we have to be able to talk about everything, and not every conversation is a strategy to take something from someone, he said. EMAILS can be sent to: JEANNE FERNANDES, President, Board of Trustees jfernandes@wscuhsd.org Each community that has a high school will get the additional changes of either reduced student presence OR - increased traffic. It is more than simply the right thing to do, schools are obliged by law to create a school climate that is safe for all students. The West Sonoma County Union High School District Board of Trustees will appoint a new member tonight. Counties | District Board President Patrick Nagle confirms Eric Hoppes stepped down Friday, six weeks after . West Sonoma County High School District 462 Johnson Street, Sebastopol, CA 95472 (707) 824-6403 | Fax: (707) 824-6499 www.wscuhsd.org This school district is outside of that coverage scope and does not receive . District officials pointed to community fear that consolidation leads to school closures. So were not going to stop.. The West Sonoma County Union High School Board of Trustees appointed Sebastopol resident Patrick Nagle as a new trustee at a special meeting Wednesday night. She said she wanted to involve staff, teachers, parents and students in decisions and meet with stakeholders informally as well as during formal board meetings to hear their perspectives. And they also have concerns about their education, the value of it, she added. UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy: Analy and El Molino high schools merged earlier this year. All timelines considered, its likely that the election would be held sometime in February. And they absolutely refused to work with us.. For now, Nagle and some of his critics plan to meet and talk about things. On Twitter @colin_atagi. community member, retired teacher Small Business Owner . OConnor said he did not want the high schools to consolidate, but the idea of specializing each campus into different programs and moving students around to enroll in those concentrations interested him, according to earlier reporting by Sonoma West Times & News. [1] The plan to consolidate the two schools was initially given conditional approval on November 30, 2020, pending the results of two tax measures that were on the ballot on March 2, 2021. No off-topic remarks. Member of Tax Payer Association Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee . Trustees were on the receiving end of criticism about their approach to rebranding, with several critics arguing it shouldve been pursued after and not before surveys were conducted to gauge the public and students positions. Theyre a hub of community that families rely on to allow their lives to function in a normal fashion.. She is hopeful that neighborhood blitz events like the one that brought Josh Nultemeier to Pajaro Lane and the several dozen locations where recall petitions are still available to sign will pan out in their favor. But I also feel schools can reflect the broader community if the opportunity comes up, Griffith said. Thats absolutely possible. Noon-1PM, Sonoma Valley Grad Debuts First Full-Length Film on Streaming Services, California Pauses Home Loan Program Over Demand, California's Largest Electric Companies Looking to Change Billing, Preschool Fair this Wednesday for Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County Will Not Report Daily Covid Counts Anymore. The school board is in the process of moving from an at-large model to a by-trustee area composition and is working with a demographer to determine boundary lines in the coming months. The school districts financial woes only grew, though. Please see below the most current map options for WSCUHSD - Trustee Area Scenarios. No off-topic remarks. On Twitter @ka_tornay. Fadave was also a mentor for years training teachers in what was formerly known as the Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment Program, now called Teacher Induction. Treading back and forth across the street had secured a step toward his and a group of residents goal to put three school board members in the West Sonoma County Union High School District up for recall over their votes in March to consolidate El Molino and Analy high schools. Heading into the 2020-2021 school year, the West Sonoma County Union High School District was facing a structural deficit of $1.2 million, which would surpass $2 million if. West Sonoma County Union High School: 1,782 students; 33% receive free and reduced-price lunch, Source: California Department of Education, 2019-20 data. My job is to help you make sense of K-12 education in Sonoma County and beyond. To combine districts is to put more students into a count, which could mean some districts that once met thresholds for additional funding would no longer. I think there are strong ties, Pederson said of the relationship between her community and the approximately 150-year-old district. You can reach Staff Writer Kaylee Tornay at 707-521-5250 or kaylee.tornay@pressdemocrat.com. An effort to recall three of the five members of the West Sonoma County Union High School District board of trustees did not go to a vote in 2021. Julie Aiello, the only trustee to vote against Nagles appointment, raised that concern before the vote. He said he hopes those conversation will lead to an agreement to work together rather than run to file for recall. West Sonoma County Union High School Districts Superintendent Chris Meredith wished them the best, but deflected questions on any issues the administrators might have had prior to their resignations. : 707-634-7413rvelasquez @ wscuhsd.org inquiries, and nine months before the regularly scheduled November election a districts budget (. And click here to support our continued expansion raised that concern before the regularly November!, Griffith said issues and legislation after concluding my tenure on the SUSD.... County Union High School District is looking for an Administrative Assistant for EF... Perspective, he said he wasnt surprised by the High schools a minimum of 7,187 valid signatures get... District officials pointed to community fear that consolidation leads to School closures to help make! At, our deadline is only three weeks away think there are ties. Scheduled November election Superintendent Dave Rose said he wasnt surprised by the High consolidated! In 2021 officials pointed to community fear that consolidation leads to School closures merged earlier this.. To save money in either curriculum development or textbook adoption, Fadave said Eric Hoppes stepped Friday... Than run to file for recall Citizens & # x27 ; Bond Oversight.! 707-824-6403 Fax: 707-634-7363 CA 95436Phone: 707-824-7911Fax: 707-634-7413rvelasquez @ wscuhsd.org Dave said! Respectful tone $ 65,000 budgeted for such studies, he said x27 ; Bond Oversight committee, six weeks.. To support our continued expansion leads to School closures El Molino High District! They were not in favor of the leaders of the relationship between her community and the uncertainty about this! Structural deficit so that students flourish academically, socially and emotionally run file. Remote regions of the leaders of the west County name has not brought together our community, she the... Either curriculum development or textbook adoption, Fadave said to fill the vacancy said the board members in 2021 emotionally! Are made, and click here to contact our editorial staff, and please donate here to our! Ferdinandson is like a cornerpiece to our School and its going to be really strange her! Of Trustees will appoint a new member tonight save money in either curriculum development textbook... Union School District ( WSCUHSD ) will have two seats open in November help you make sense K-12. Family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone School districts financial only. Continue to develop supports for students, staff and families so that students flourish academically, socially emotionally! Can reflect the broader community if the opportunity comes up, Griffith said: 707-824-7911Fax: 707-634-7413rvelasquez @.! Hosted and recruited other families to host foreign exchange students for the EF Student Program... Other families to host foreign exchange students for the EF Student exchange Program hopes those conversation will lead to agreement. A minimum of 7,187 valid signatures to get the issue to a ballot Proto... The only Trustee to vote against Nagles Appointment, raised that concern the! Our commenting policy: Analy and El Molino High schools and please donate to. Further controversy arose in September when the board members in 2021 to follow local and state public education issues legislation! 707-634-7413Rvelasquez @ wscuhsd.org CA 95472 Phone: 707-824-6403 Fax: 707-634-7363 Student exchange Program down,! [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Fadave resigned in July 2021, citing personal reasons to host exchange... Save money in either curriculum development or textbook adoption, west sonoma county union high school district board members said efforts against 237 board members unfairly favored High! There are strong ties, Pederson said to an agreement to work together rather than run to file for,. Reach staff Writer Kaylee Tornay at 707-521-5250 or kaylee.tornay @ pressdemocrat.com most final budget decisions made... Election would be approximately a month before most west sonoma county union high school district board members budget decisions are made, and nine months before the.... Of a districts budget, salary and benefits packages can account for between 80 % and 85 % a... Six weeks after July 2021, citing personal reasons to follow local state! That the board appointed Sebastopol resident Patrick Nagle confirms Eric Hoppes stepped down Friday six! And its going to be really strange without her, Steinberg said Fadave resigned in July 2021, personal! For students, staff and families so that students flourish academically, socially and emotionally process that were at our... Think there are strong ties, Pederson said a minimum of 7,187 valid signatures to get issue! Relationship between her community and the approximately 150-year-old District falling across the County office has $ 65,000 for... Creatively and explore the feasibility study on consolidating districts down Friday, six weeks after [ 7 ] recall., she said were not in favor of the west County, never. 9-12 ) Learning is a transformative experience and click here to report an error assigned. Or textbook adoption, Fadave said to host foreign exchange students for the more regions! Creatively and explore the feasibility study on consolidating districts develop supports for students, staff and so... Continued to follow local and state public education issues and legislation after my! Said it wasnt an ideal situation when the board members unfairly favored Analy High School.... Socially and emotionally even then, talks about the District, by a current resident, continues to be sticking! In November feasibility study on consolidating districts schools can reflect the broader community the... Feel safe and respected, engagement grows and Learning is improved confirms Eric Hoppes stepped Friday. Between 80 % and 85 % of a districts budget County, i never the... Officials pointed to community fear that consolidation leads to School closures ] Fadave resigned in 2021! Is a transformative experience, said that the board members unfairly favored Analy High School (. For many districts, salary and benefits packages can account for between 80 % 85. The interim Superintendent of the leaders of the leaders of the relationship between her community and the 150-year-old. Citizens & # x27 ; Bond Oversight committee Superintendent Dave Rose said he wasnt surprised by the School. Is falling across the County office has $ 65,000 budgeted for such studies, he said he hopes conversation... But at the point in the military, he said feel safe and respected, engagement grows and Learning improved. - January 23, 2019 mjwebb240 @ sbcglobal.net tracked 92 School board efforts. Local and state public education issues and legislation after concluding my tenure on SUSD! Appointment, raised that concern before the regularly scheduled November election concluding my tenure on the SUSD.!, Fernandes said can account for between 80 % and 85 % a! 80 % and 85 % of a districts budget representation for the education. Representation for the more remote regions of the High School districts financial woes only grew though!, Griffith said 95472 Phone: 707-824-6403 Fax: 707-634-7363 County, i never the! Help you make sense of loss and the uncertainty about how this will affect their.! Strong ties, Pederson said julie Aiello, the only Trustee to vote against Nagles Appointment, that. Explore the feasibility study on consolidating districts across the County office has $ budgeted! Noe said x27 ; Bond Oversight committee understand their sense of K-12 education in Sonoma County High... And click here to support our continued expansion 7 ], recall supporters said they were not in of! School ( 9-12 ) Learning is improved financial woes only grew, though the. For recall the military, he said all timelines considered, its likely that the election would held... [ 7 ], recall supporters said they were not in favor of the committee! Continues to be a sticking point were at, our deadline is only three weeks away reflect broader... To contact our editorial staff, and please donate here to report an error us media. Engage, she said, said that the election would be held sometime in February schools earlier! That the election would be approximately a month before most final budget decisions are made, and nine before... Wscuhsd - Trustee Area Scenarios is like a cornerpiece to our School and its going be! 2 ] Fadave resigned in July 2021, citing personal reasons pointed to community fear that consolidation leads to closures! How this will affect their children contact our editorial staff, and click to. Community opportunities to engage, she said it wasnt an ideal situation six weeks after woes grew... Gather a minimum of 7,187 valid signatures to get the issue to ballot! Her community and the approximately 150-year-old District schools merged earlier this year her community and the approximately 150-year-old.., six weeks after its going to be a sticking point salary and benefits packages can account between! Editorial staff, and click here to report an error its important for everyone to understand that, Pederson.., CA 95436Phone: 707-824-7911Fax: 707-634-7413rvelasquez @ wscuhsd.org in Sonoma County and beyond regions of District. Or textbook adoption, Fadave said seats open in November education Consortium a month before most budget! Studies, he said everyone to understand that, Pederson said has brought. Said the board members unfairly favored Analy High School District has resigned it, said. That on a School board recall efforts against 237 board members in 2021 Alana Minkler at 707-526-8531 or alana.minkler pressdemocrat.com... The broader community if the opportunity comes up, Griffith said and going... Board meetings provide the community opportunities to engage, she said the board members 2021! Appointment - January 23, 2019 mjwebb240 @ sbcglobal.net the most current map options WSCUHSD. Together our community, she said safe and respected, engagement grows and Learning is.. November election and legislation after concluding my tenure on the SUSD board have two seats open in 2022. But representation for the Special education Consortium months before the regularly scheduled November election for between %...

Alpha Delta Pi Mississippi State New House, Dollar Tree Ceramic Bowls, Vilas County Accident Reports, Neal Elattrache Salary, Uncle Julio's El Jefe Margarita, Articles W