In the August 21, 2018 edition of the Record Bee, there was an article submitted by three candidates for the upcoming Lakeport Unified School District Governing Board election that made a number of claims that are not accurate.
Canidates for the Lakeport Unified School District board accused the district of mismanagement of the recent $17 million dollar school bond. These claims are being made by two members of the LUSD Citizens Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC), Dan Buffalo and Jennifer Hanson, who approved the CBOC annual report to the Board on January 23, 2018 which stated, “The Committee has reviewed the expenditures of the district funded by Measure T and found them to be in compliance with the purpose and intent of Measure T.”
The current board and district administration has completed several projects with the Measure T bond funds and all of them have greatly benefitted our students. Clear Lake High School finally has a place for our students to eat their lunch and a new state-of-the-art central kitchen. Classrooms have been upgraded with new furniture and instructional technology. The Terrace Middle School Learning Center is also scheduled to be completed this year and will provide an outstanding environment for our middle school students.
These projects have been completed in the worst construction environment in decades and, in spite of extensive value engineering, the costs of the projects have been more than originally budgeted. The last project in the district’s Master Facility Plan is the construction of a new pool, tennis court and weight room facility. Due to a lack of funds, we will need to wait until state construction bond money is released for the last phase of the Master Facility Plan. The board is fully committed to getting all projects completed and has been in contact with Senator Mike McGuire and Assembly Woman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry for help on these projects. Just recently, three members of the board traveled to Sacramento to lobby for our share of the state school construction bond money and will continue do everything that can be done to finish all planned projects.
In the Record Bee article, candidates also claimed that there is a mass exodus of teachers from LUSD. In fact, only three out of 77 teachers left the district to teach at other county schools. Those school districts receive more money per student than our district, and therefore, are able to offer higher salaries. Additionally, there were three retirements and seven teachers moved out of Lake County. These statistics are well below what many other schools are experiencing. The board never wants to lose good teachers, but it has not been a “mass exodus” nor have a large number of highly qualified teachers resigned.
Under the current board and administration, the LUSD schools have made great strides to create an outstanding learning environment for both staff and students. The district has updated classrooms to 21st century infrastructure and state of the art instructional technology. The district has also installed “green” technology which includes new LED lighting in all classrooms and solar panels that currently save the district $60,000 per year in utility costs. We implemented individualized training for staff by the Stanford Leadership Corps, established a community day school to better serve at risk youth and, under the current leadership, we have broken ground on a beautiful new learning center for Terrace Middle School. LUSD is not a struggling school district, but a dynamic place to learn and work.
The most serious charge made by candidates found in the article was that the LUSD schools are unsafe, which is simply not true. The board and administration have placed the safety of the students and staff as their highest priority. The district maintains an excellent relationship with the Lakeport Police Department and other local law enforcement. The district funds a full-time School Resource Officer (SRO) and the school recently hosted an FBI active shooter training to insure that we are always prepared. The district also recently implemented an “all call” emergency phone system, installed safety locks on all classroom doors, distributed safety bags to classrooms, and placed AED defibrillators throughout the district.
Tom Powers has served on the LUSD Governing Board for 14 years and states, ‘Under the leadership of the current Board, the district has grown financially and academically stronger. I have been committed to creating and supporting a district culture that has provided an exciting academic atmosphere for student learning and a positive work environment enabling staff growth and development.” The current board and administration has had an excellent relationship with both the teachers’ and classified unions.”
Dennis Darling brings experience, integrity and leadership to the board and states, “I’m very proud of the board’s accomplishments including: implementing several bond measures, building an effective relationship with staff and the unions, maintaining a positive budget, and providing an excellent learning environment for students. The work of the governing board is becoming increasingly complex. Experience and understanding of the laws and regulations governing our schools is of the upmost importance.”
Both Tom Powers and Dennis Darling have a history of community service and support. They are both local business owners and have spent countless hours advocating for both the students of LUSD and public education. They are currently endorsed by many local community leaders and if you would like to add your endorsement please email foodsdd@mchsi.com.
