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November 2003 News Archive

Tuesday, November 18, 2003 - Update (12:30 p.m.):

Boiler Room at Santa Barbara High School

At 6:30 a.m. this morning, water service was restored to the main building at Santa Barbara High School. With the restoration of water service, the order for portable restrooms and potable water was cancelled.

Power was restored to the main building at about 7:45 a.m.

The boiler room is still being cleaned and personnel are assessing the effects of the flooding that was discovered early yesterday morning in the main building.

Classes resumed this morning.

Monday, November 17, 2003 - Update (12:15 p.m.):

Boiler Room at Santa Barbara High School School Will Be In Session Tomorrow (November 18, 2003)

Extensive flooding in the main boiler room at Santa Barbara High School was discovered early this morning by the school’s lead custodian. The room, located in the basement of the main building, is estimated to have contained thousands of gallons of water. All utilities to the main building were immediately shut off. Water currently is being pumped out of the boiler room. The water should be removed by approximately 2:30-3:00 p.m. today. Once the water has been removed, maintenance personnel will be able to examine the room’s water pipes and the boiler to identify the source of the water and the extent of the damage. The equipment in the boiler room generates heat for the main building and the 30s-wing. The rest of the campus is fully operational.

Though classes were cancelled today, they will be in session tomorrow, Tuesday, November 18, 2003. To comply with state law (64,000 minutes of instruction, which usually takes place over a 180-day school year), the lost day will have to be made up. A determination has not yet been made as to how that will happen. It could take the form of one additional school day or, perhaps, extending the length of the current school day.

Again, the problem is confined to the main building and the school’s utilities are operational in all other parts of the campus. If, later today, it is determined that portable facilities (i.e., bathrooms and drinking water) are needed for tomorrow’s operation of the main building, portable water and restroom facilities will be on site tomorrow morning.

Santa Barbara High School is located at 700 E. Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara.

November 17, 2003, 9:30 a.m.

Boiler Room at Santa Barbara High School

At approximately 6:30 a.m. today, staff at Santa Barbara High School discovered that the school’s main boiler room was flooded. The districts’ facilities department immediately responded and turned off all electricity, water, and gas to the main building. At no time were staff or students in any danger.

School was cancelled today.

Meanwhile, four pumps are currently pumping out the main boiler room, which is expected to take about two hours. Once the water level has receded, maintenance staff will assess the source of the water and the extent of the damage.

Additional information will be provided as available.

Santa Barbara High School serves approximately 2,300 students. The school is located at 700 E. Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara.

Friday, November 14, 2003

Interim Principal Identified for La Cumbre Junior High School

At the November 20, 2003, special meeting of the Board of Education, Superintendent Deborah Flores will recommend that La Cumbre Junior High School’s Assistant Principal Eugenia Walters be the new, interim principal of that school. The position opened with the recent announcement that Principal Michael Gonzalez was selected to serve as the districts’ director of compliance and categorical programs. In the days following that announcement, two candidates were interviewed for the position of interim principal and Ms. Walters was selected. Her assignment will become effective on Monday, December 1, 2003.

"I’ve been impressed at how quickly Eugenia has became an integral part of the La Cumbre school community. She has demonstrated excellent administrative skills. Her warm, engaging personality allows her to work well with students, parents, and staff. She will continue to do a great job at that school," stated Superintendent Deborah Flores. Dr. Flores continued, "Michael Gonzalez is committed to making this change a seamless transition in leadership. I am genuinely pleased that Michael will be bringing to the district level his formidable skills and recognized commitment to English learners and other underrepresented populations. In his new role, as the director of compliance and categorical programs, we look forward to having him monitor some critical areas that impact K-12 education."

When contacted, Ms. Walters enthusiastically stated, "I’m very excited about this assignment and I’m happy that the staff believe in me and trust that I can do the job. This is a wonderful school! I’m very impressed with how hard we are working to make positive change and I think that together as a team – working with staff students, parents and the community – La Cumbre will truly shine as one of the best schools in California. But that’s not enough, our goal is to be one of the best schools in the nation." She added, "It has been a pleasure working with Michael Gonzalez. He chose me to do this job. In my role as La Cumbre’s assistant principal, we have worked together in a very positive way. It’s going to be hard to fill his shoes, but we are going to continue to work really hard to make this school very successful, which is Michael’s top priority."

Principal Michael Gonzalez added, "I could not be happier with our Superintendent’s choice. Mrs. Walters is a fine assistant principal and I know she will be a great principal. "

Ms. Walters joined the La Cumbre staff at the beginning of the current school year. She replaced former Assistant Principal Elyssa Rodriguez-Chavarria.

Ms. Walters brings extensive experience to the postion. In addition to her work at La Cumbre Junior High School, she has served as an assistant principal at the high school level: Oceanside High School, Oceanside Unified School District (1993-1994 and 2001-present); El Camino High School, Oceanside Unified School District (1999-2001); and Woodbridge High School, Irvine Unified School District (1994-2000). Prior to her work as an assistant principal, she has served as an administrative intern, and teacher. During the past decade, Ms. Walters’ responsibilities have included oversight of campus supervision, AVID program, senior activities, special education, testing, student teachers, food service, discipline, master schedule, staff supervision, independent study, and data collection.

Assistant Principal Walters received a bachelor of science degree in business administration from South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, South Carolina and her master’s degree in education from National University in Vista, California.

Ms. Walters’ current contract is based on an annual salary of $82,201. Her new contract will be based on a 222-day employment period, with a $91,228 per year salary.

Friday, November 7, 2003

Mrs. McThing at SBHS Theater on November 14, 15, 20, 21, and 22, 2003

Mobsters, witches, romance, and comedy abound in Santa Barbara High School’s performance of Mrs. McThing. Opening night will be at 7:00 p.m. on November 14, with additional 7:00 p.m. performances on November 15, 20, 21, and 22. Tickets are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for students ($4.00 with ASB card).

Written by Mary Chase (the author of Harvey) and first produced in 1952, Mrs. McThing is set in the 1940s. This comic romp revolves around Mrs. McThing, a meddlesome witch, Howay, a mischievous boy, and his mother. A series of misimpressions and misadventures are part of this story but, of course, all’s well that ends well and life’s lessons are learned along the way.

Produced and directed by Santa Barbara High School theater teacher Otto Layman, Mrs. McThing is performed by a 20-member ensemble company. Seniors in the play, include Siobhan Doherty, Kendra Chase, Sarah Wise, Caitlin Larsen, Jordan Kahn and Pat Brown.

For more information about Mrs. McThing, call Santa Barbara High School parent Marcia Reed at (805) 965-3023, extension 20.

Friday, November 7, 2003

Director of Compliance and Categorical Programs

Yesterday, Principal Michael Gonzalez informed La Cumbre Junior High School faculty and staff of his new, upcoming role as the Santa Barbara Elementary and High School Districts’ director of compliance and categorical programs. Four candidates participated in a rigorous interview process and the final decision on this position was made yesterday morning. Superintendent Flores will now take this selection to the Board of Education for final approval on Wednesday, November 12, 2003. The responsibilities of this position include spearheading districtwide English Language Learner programs, ADA compliance, and oversight of the state’s Comité process.

Stated Superintendent Deborah Flores, "As the newly selected director of compliance and categorical programs, Michael Gonzalez will be a welcome addition to the District Office team. We had several strong candidates for the position and Michael’s expertise and recognized commitment to the needs of underrepresented populations played an important role in his selection." Dr. Flores continued, "Michael will move from serving the needs of one school to addressing English Language Learner and Americans with Disabilities Act issues throughout the elementary and secondary districts. He will also have an important role in the Comité process. This position was needed because – as the result of cutbacks – there are too few administrators left in the district to handle these recently identified areas of compliance. Failure to address these compliance issues could result in legal actions/sanctions against the districts."

Mr. Gonzalez will continue serving as La Cumbre’s principal until the end of November. He will be available to assist in the transition once an interim principal is selected to lead the school. That announcement is expected by the end of the month.

The director of compliance and categorical programs will receive an annual salary of $106,167. The position will be funded through a combination of categorical funds (50%), bond funds (45%), and general funds (5%). A job description is available upon request.

November 7, 2003

Korean and WWII Vets to Participate in Adams Elementary School’s Veterans’ Day Program

History will come alive on Monday, November 10, 2003, when several World War II and Korean War veterans speak to students as part of Adams Elementary School’s annual Veterans’ Day program. The 40-minute program will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the school’s auditorium when the honored guests are welcomed by Principal Jo Ann Caines. The Star Spangled Banner will be sung. The following veterans will share their experiences with students:

Adams Elementary School is located 2701 Las Positas Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105.