Dunn out of step with CVUSD trustees

After reading Mr. Dunn’s letter in the Thousand Oaks Acorn (“Board majority imposes its will on school district”), it became apparent that some truths need to be told.

Conejo Unified School District is considered one of the most progressive school districts in the state. Our test scores are among the highest in the state, and over 80 percent of our students go on to higher education. The district has always put students first and we have always been aware that our job is to see that all students graduate with the skills necessary to function in our adult society. Our students’ success in prestigious schools shows that this doesn’t happen by accident. It is a calculated effort by the board, district personnel and parents to put kids first.

The board researches and questions decisions that will impact our children. We visit schools, attend school functions, talk to teachers, parents and students. We serve on various local, state and national committees and attend workshops designed to help us improve our schools. All of these activities help us to do a better job in making decisions for children. Mr. Dunn chooses not to participate in any of the above activities.

At board meetings, the public is invited to fill out a green card if they wish to speak and a yellow card to express an opinion. Mr. Dunn claims that at the June 28 board meeting, the board did not read aloud the yellow cards. Many of the cards in support of Mr. Dunn’s position on the health textbook were duplicates and triplicates. Many were from people who don’t live in our school district and their children don’t attend our schools. It was impossible to give an accurate count. This was explained to Mr. Dunn several times but he doesn’t get it.

Mr. Dunn continues to dispute a decision to relocate a principal. Principals are hired to work for the district and they serve at the discretion of the board. Principals are assigned to a school the administration feels is a good fit for all those concerned.

One principal was able to negotiate an agreement with Pepperdine University that would benefit the district and the university. Pepperdine would use the Manzanita School as a teaching school for their student teachers. We would help develop some fine teachers, and the new teachers would have the advantage of working in a school with a diverse population. That principal chose to relocate. A principal with experience with diverse students at a Title I school was a criteria from Pepperdine. Mrs. Boone has that experience and is doing a great job at her new school. Her replacement at Cypress has proven to be a capable principal who has been accepted by the school community. Everyone seems to be satisfied except for the few who refuse to let go of a situation that is no longer debatable.

Yes, Mr. Dunn, we know who pays the taxes. We also know that we have great parent participation and support, not just at one meeting by a small minority, but by the community as a whole. It’s time to move on, work together and do what is best for kids. Tim Stephens, Dolores Didio, Pat Phelps, Dorothy Beaubien Members of the Conejo Valley Board of Education