Frequently Asked Questions

By Barbara R. Kilponen

The Fullerton Joint Union High School District Board of Trustees has been a stabilizing force in North Orange County, accommodating students from all or parts of ten cities inside our boundaries. The District also attracts hundreds of students from outside the District with their attendance funding, enabling more diverse coursework to enrich the curriculum for all students. As an incumbent trustee, I am often asked the following questions:

• Experience matters as well as availability for District meetings day and night, even on weekends. Participation in a variety of civic and educational activities provides timely information and programs for the benefit of the District and our students. I always spend the time and energy it takes.
• Education is in the most serious financial crisis in memory. While our District has been making great numbers of reductions away from the classroom over more than 10 years, harder decisions will have to be made for this year and in the years to come to provide the quality education our communities have come to expect. I believe it is essential to continue the stability and trust of this Board to navigate these times of financial upheaval at the State level.

• Maintaining the many specialized programs for the broad spectrum of students we serve - from the gifted to special education population, all requiring individualized curriculum. Our District also offers an outstanding extracurricular array of activities that enhance our students' academic efforts, offer career ideas and participation in them, and add weight to college, military and work experiences/resumes.
• While the class size by faculty contract has been 28.5:1 for 27 years, there has been the financial ability to provide additional staff to cover various circumstances. At this point, classes are still at the 28.5:1 ratio but without the luxury of extra staff in our effort to continue offering full academic programs for students (by reducing staff costs). There will be a variety of other difficult decisions the Board will face, each requiring the background and experience current Board members will contribute to the solutions.

. For over ten years reductions have been made far from students' classroom education. No one wants furlough days, but some may continue. Contract negotiations with the teachers and classified staff will define other reductions.

Is there an achievement gap? How can it be closed?

. Student attendance/homework completion is closing the achievement gap. District attendance is between 96-98% currently. Our schools also provide tutoring, use of technology, AVID (a four year implemented program I initiated to create eligibility for college). Career/technical programs offer another level of student achievement for the military/work force.

What is being done to stop hazing/bullying?

. There is renewed effort to recognize sports team hazing as well as all hazing/bullying across our country. Our students, parents, and even outsiders alert our staff to investigate. Too many in society see hazing as "fun" rather than harmful. Continual education with serious consequences is essential.

What are three goals for your next term?

. I will continue to ensure finances preserve current academic and extracurricular opportunities for future students while still attracting top staff. Polling our various parent communities validates this goal. We have had 27 years of satisfactory student:teacher class ratios, and our salary schedule is the second highest in the county.

. The HiSTEP daily tutoring pilot program at one of our schools aids students in understanding curriculum and doing homework regularly. When grades improve, students are rewarded with a longer lunch period. With success, I would like to see this program expanded to our other schools. Students win by self motivation.

. Our six comprehensive schools are academically in the top 1,000 high schools nationally out of about 27,000 schools. To remain competitive in the extra-curricular areas of sports, performance arts, and retrofitting of our earthquake vulnerable buildings, we may need to consider a bond to satisfy additional community expectations.

How is STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) being addressed in your high schools?

We have increased AP/IB coursework. SHHS has a four year program in a brand new Engineering Academy building. A new Construction Academy will begin next year. There are agriculture programs, auto shops, and computer technology programs each utilizing elements of STEM education within our six comprehensive high schools. Each year students enter science and academic competitions and intern in dozens of scientific and business institutions, many resulting in college and university scholarships.