April 2000 News Archive
Friday, April 28, 2000
David Hetyonk to Oversee Secondary District Bond Projects
On April 26, 2000, the Board of Education approved the hiring of David Hetyonk as Program Manager. Hetyonk will be responsible for Santa Barbara High School District bond-funded projects. His annual salary will be $81,116. His position will be funded from High School District bond funds. Hetyonk will begin employment on May 15, 2000.
David Hetyonk’s major duties will include the following:
- plan, direct, and oversee the work of architects from the planning phases through construction;
- complete the appropriate paperwork required for State matching funds;
- coordinate contractors and inspection agencies during construction;
- work with the Director, Operations and Facilities, to insure that general contract conditions, specifications and bids are completed properly;
- work with the Director, Operations and Facilities, analyzing and prioritizing both short- and long-range planning;
- attend, and sometimes chair, the Secondary Bond Oversight Committee;
- communicate and coordinate with school site principals on construction planning schedule and impacts.
He will work closely with Robert Gonzalez, the Districts’ new Director of Operations and Facilities.
According to Superintendent Deborah Flores, "We are very pleased to have David on board. He comes to us from Las Vegas, which has been undergoing a phenomenal period of growth. For several years, David was the Coordinator of Rehab/Modernization Planning in a rapidly expanding Las Vegas school district. We know that his experience and leadership will be invaluable to the Santa Barbara High School District as we prepare for the planning and implementation of projects funded by this community’s recent $67 million investment in our schools."
Hetyonk will oversee the multiple projects funded by the recent passage of Measure V, a General Obligation Bond. Measure V funds will be used to improve the infrastructure and modernization of seven aging junior high, middle, and high school campuses in the Santa Barbara High School District [the list of facilities needs is posted on the Districts’ Web site: English, Spanish]. Identified improvements include: refurbish community use facilities, such as libraries and athletic/recreational areas; replace cooling, heating, and ventilation systems; repair faulty plumbing; refurbish restrooms; install security systems; replace irrigation systems; rewire for cable t.v. and technology needs; install new fire alarm systems; paint building exteriors; refurbish classrooms. Additionally, 56 portables in the High School District that are over 25 years of age will be replaced with new construction. The Measure V bond will permit construction of a long-awaited auditorium and the completion of an athletic stadium for Dos Pueblos High School.
For the past 11 years, Hetyonk has served as the Coordinator, Rehab/Modernization Planning for the Clark County School District in Las Vegas, NV. As an employee of the Planning and Engineering Department, he was responsible for multiple facets of development and construction in a burgeoning school district. He was a key player in the development of the Clark County School District bond fund program: $605 million in 1994; $643 million in 1996; $3.5 billion in 1998. Prior to his work in the Planning and Engineering Department, from 1987-1989 Hetyonk was a School Planning Specialist in that district’s School Planning Department. His duties included the oversight of educational specifications for new facilities, investigation of site rehabilitation requests, facilities master plans, and project tracking for new construction.
In addition to his extensive rehabilitation/construction experience, Hetyonk served as a high school and community college educator: mathematics and vocational data processing instructor, Southern Nevada Vocational Technical Center High School (1978-1987); assistant football coach, Chaparral High School and Valley High School (1984-1987); adjunct instructor in the area of COBOL programming, Community College of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas and Henderson, NV (1983-1986).
David Hetyonk was educated at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics (1974), Master of Business Administration (1975), and California Teaching Credential (1978).
Adams Elementary Students Get Ready for Arbor Day
On Friday, April 28, 2000, a school ceremony and tree planting will be part of Adams Elementary School’s National Arbor Day celebration. The event, which honors Santa Barbara’s selection as a Tree City U.S.A. participant, will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Friday. Tree City U.S.A. is sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation, based in Nebraska.
The Foundation encourages cities throughout the country to increase community awareness of all species of trees. Santa Barbara is one of the cities that has repeatedly qualified as a Tree City U.S.A. community. In order to be considered and selected as a Tree City U.S.A. community, a city must employ a City Arborist and have a program in place that maintains and protects trees. As a designated Tree City U.S.A. community, the City of Santa Barbara is permitted to fly the program’s green and white flag. Initially, this year’s flag will be hoisted at Adams Elementary School before being moved to one of the City’s parks.
Participating in Friday’s event will be an urban forester from the State of California and Santa Barbara City Arborist Dan Condon. Santa Barbara Beautiful will donate three sycamore trees, native to California, which will be dedicated and planted. They will also provide two mulberry trees to be used to develop a science curriculum.
Student projects will be on display. The projects will include artwork as well reports on subjects such as seeds, conservation, and John Muir. Refreshments will be served. The public is invited.
Adams Elementary School is located at 2701 Las Positas Road, next to the Earl Warren Showgrounds.
San Marcos Students Ace Mock Trial 2000
On February 19th, after months of preparation, mock trial teams from nine County high schools (private and public schools) had their day in court. Under the watchful eye of attorneys and superior court judges, teams from schools such as Cate, Laguna Blanca, St. Joseph High, and Santa Ynez High met in the first round of Santa Barbara County Mock Trial competition.
In mock trial, defense and prosecutions teams act as attorneys, bailiffs, witnesses, and court clerks in a fictitious legal case. In order to prepare, each team received an identical, detailed case packet. In this year’s case, People vs. Rose, students prepared for a litigation involving the crimes of poisoning, assault with a deadly weapon, and possession of drugs. Months of preparation culminate in pretrial arguments on a constitutional law issue, opening statements, direct and cross examinations, and closing arguments with the two teams competing against each other in front of a superior court judge. The judge actively served as a judge in the trial, which is conducted within strict time limits and procedures. The students were scored by local attorneys on their preparation and courtroom expertise.
On February 26th, teams from three Santa Barbara High School District (Dos Pueblos High School, Santa Barbara High School, and junior varsity and varsity teams from San Marcos High School) placed in the top four positions and went on to compete in the semifinals and finals. Thomas Hinshaw, a local attorney was reported to have said, "They’re better than some of the performances we have seen in court." One of the two Mock Trial teams from San Marcos High – the varsity team – went on to win the County title.
As County finalists, the San Marcos varsity team went on to compete at the State finals in late March. The State finals were held in Sacramento. At the state final San Marcos won 3 our of 4 trials. They came in 12th out of 34 teams. When asked about the team’s performance in Sacramento, Eric Burrows responded without hesitation, "The students did an admirable job at the competition. It is testimony to the caliber of the team. The experience gives me great faith in the students that San Marcos High School produces. These students are exceptional not only in their talent, but in their professionalism, maturity and attitude."
The following students made up the 1999-2000 San Marcos High School 18-member varsity Mock Trial team: Paul Allyn, Christopher Birch, Romy Ganschow, Essie Hankoff, Seanna Gittler, Donna Henderson, Zohair Hussain, Kate Kolstad, Kasey Lengsfelder, Sarah Main, Amber Norling, Jessica McMahon, Michael Ortiz, Andrea Piasecki, Amelia Rasche, Angelina Sanchez, and Colette Schabram, and Jessica Torin. Eric Burrows, an American History teacher at San Marcos, served as the team advisor.
Goleta Valley Junior High to Present Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Beginning April 27, the Drama Department of Goleta Valley Junior High School will present Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. The performance will continue through May 6 in the school auditorium. Evening performances will start at 7:30 p.m. Matinees will take place at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, 2:00 p.m. Saturday, and 3:30 p.m. May 3rd.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is a musical based on Judith Viorst’s best-selling children’s book. The production will be directed by Clark Sayre. It will feature the musical direction of Pam Herzog and the choreography of Kendra Douglas. Ted Dolas designed the sets.
Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for students. Tickets can be purchased at Goleta Valley Junior High School, Quizno’s Subs (5723 Calle Real, Goleta), and Kernohan’s Toys and Gifts (1324-B State Street, Santa Barbara.)
Goleta Valley Junior High School is located at 6100 Stow Canyon Road, Goleta.
Alice in Wonderland at Santa Barbara High School
Alice in Wonderland will be performed by the Santa Barbara High School (SBHS) Theatre Department on May 5 through May 13, 2000. Join Alice, the Mad Hatter, Humpty Dumpty, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, the Cheshire Cat and others in that spectacular place called Wonderland.
Alice in Wonderland opens Friday, May 5th, with a special benefit performance and barbecue. The barbecue tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children under 10 years of age. The barbecue begins at 5:00 pm (SBHS Quad), followed by the 7:00 pm theatre performance.
Adapted and directed by SBHS Theatre Director Otto Laymen, this production features the talents of 35 actors and 30 crew members. It is a two-hour performance. There will be two special shows for schools: Sunday, May 7 at 2:00 pm and Thursday, May 11 at 9:00 am. The Sunday matinee and the school-day performance are offered to schools for only $2 per student (chaperones and teachers are free).
For ticket information, contact Otto Layman at (805) 966-9101, extension 220.
Santa Barbara High School is located 700 E. Anapamu.
Oklahoma! at San Marcos High School
The San Marcos High School Performing Arts Department presents Rogers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. on the following dates: April 27, 28, 29 and May 11, 12, and 13.
Featuring a cast of 50 students, the musical follows a budding romance against the backdrop of pre-statehood Oklahoma. Oklahoma! features Jennifer Hira as Laurey, Dominic Avila as Curley, Michael Martony as Jud Fry, Amelia Rasche as Ado Annie, Sean Jackson as Ali Hakim, Christopher Ballinger as Will Parke, Shan Win as Judge Carnes, and Kelli Martony as Aunt Eller. Vocal direction for this production will be led by Carolyn Teraoka-Brady. The orchestra will be under the direction of Dan Garske. Theodore Michael Dolas is in charge of set design and lighting; Marion Azdril is in charge of costuming; Teresa Johnson is directing the choreography.
For ticket information, call (805) 967-4581, extension 225.
San Marcos High School is located at 4750 Hollister Avenue.
[The following news release was provided by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department/Public Information Office – 2:31 p.m., April 20, 2000.]
Code 20 Follow-Up
The Sheriff and the District Attorney are providing additional information that will hopefully help clarify the course of action that was taken regarding the Dos Pueblos High School threats case.
After an extensive investigation, Sheriff’s detectives focused their investigation on an individual juvenile suspected of planting the note. During the course of the investigation, detectives were not able to develop sufficient evidence to effect an arrest and they learned that the suspect had been voluntarily committed to an acute care facility. It was agreed by the District Attorney’s Office that there was not enough evidence to file criminal charges in this case.
Under the circumstances, with the approaching anniversary of the Columbine incident, the Sheriff and the District Attorney were primarily concerned with the safety of the students at the school. While investigators were convinced that the note was a hoax, the Sheriff wanted to be able to assure Dos Pueblos high School parents and students that the threat was not real. The Sheriff and the District Attorney agreed to take a statement from the suspect in lieu of prosecution in order to get to the truth. Continuing the investigation for purposes of prosecution could have taken days or weeks. The students and parents of Dos Pueblos would have had to live under a cloud of uncertainty during a very unsettling time. In such cases, it is important to be clear about the first priority. The safety of the students is important above all else. All other factors, while still important, are secondary considerations.
Based on the interview, Sheriff’s investigators are satisfied that the person acted alone, had no access to weapons, and had no intentions to carry out the threats contained in the note.
The Sheriff and the District Attorney are aware of the concerns regarding the perceived lack of consequences in this particular case. We want to assure the public that while the conclusion of this case may not include criminal prosecution, there will be severe consequences for the individual involved as well as anyone else involved in such threats in the future.
Juvenile Booked Into Hall For Goleta Valley Junior High Threats
The following information was taken from a Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department News Release (8:10 a.m., April 20, 2000, Lieutenant Mike Burridge, Public Information Officer):
At approximately 2:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, April 19, 2000, a female student at Goleta Valley Junior High School turned in a threatening note to school officials. The girl claimed to have found the note in a girls bathroom at the school. The note stated that twenty four people would die on Thursday, April 20, 2000.
School officials contacted the Sheriff’s Department and, after a brief investigation, Sheriff’s Detectives arrested a fourteen-year-old female student who was responsible for the threatening note. The girl was booked into the Santa Barbara County Juvenile Hall for violation of section 422 of the California Penal Code - Terrorist Threats.
Dos Pueblos High School Threats Resolved
The following information was taken from a Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department News Release (11:30 a.m., April 19, 2000, Lieutenant Mike Burridge, Public Information Officer):
The case of the threatening letter found at Goleta’s Dos Pueblos High School last Thursday, April 13, 2000, has been resolved. The letter, found by a female Dos Pueblos student in a girls bathroom, referred to the Columbine High School shootings that occurred last year. The letter contained a list of names and references to harming those named on the list.
A Dos Pueblos High School student has been identified as the author of the note. No motive was established for the note, but Sheriff’s detectives indicate that there was no intent to carry out the threats contained in the document.
Due to the nature of the investigation and the fact that the individual responsible for the note is a juvenile, the name of the suspect cannot be released. No further law enforcement action is anticipated in this case. However, due to the notoriety of this case and significance of tomorrow’s date, enhanced uniformed law enforcement presence will exist on high campuses throughout Santa Barbara County.
National Merit Finalists Announced
The National Merit Scholarship Program has determined which Semifinalists identified in September 1999 have met all requirements to qualify as Finalists in the National Merit Scholarship 2000 competition. The following Santa Barbara High School District students were identified as National Merit Scholar Finalists:
- Dos Pueblos High School: Amanda Braun, Brian Farris, James Hogg, Benjamin Howard, Daniel Kliman, Jacob Nicoll Stoltzfus, Sarah Solter, Allie Umoff
- San Marcos High School: Noah Barron, Seanna Gittler, Jessica Lengsfelder
All Finalists will be considered for Merit Scholarship awards. Those awards are made in the spring.
Dos Pueblos Students Exhibit Strong Showing at Marmonte Forensic League Tournament
Dos Pueblos High School recently entered nine debaters in the annual Marmonte Forensic League State Qualifying Tournament. The event was held on March 10-11, 2000, at La Reina High School in Thousand Oaks. The purpose of the Qualifying Tournament was to determine the top two Lincoln-Douglas debaters in the Marmonte League.
Students from Dos Pueblos High took three of the top four places: second place went to Andrew Cox, 9th grade; third place went to Justin Sharp, 12th grade; fourth place went to Brian Tobin, 9th grade. As a result of his second place finish, Andrew Cox has qualified for the State Championship Tournament to be held at James Logan High School in Union City. The State Championship Tournament will be held April 27 through May 1, 2000.
Parma Children’s Center Installs a New Play Structure
Parma Children’s Center, located on the Eastside, inaugurated a new play structure for the preschool-age youth it serves. The previous, old wooden play structure was condemned in February of 1999 because it was deemed unsafe, leaving the playground empty for over a year.
The new structure was acquired through donations and in-kind services. The Parma Parents raised $2,000; a work crew from the Santa Barbara School Districts’ Facilities Department leveled the ground; Granite Construction Company donated asphalt surfacing; the Santa Barbara School Districts’ Child Development Program provided the balance of funds needed to complete the project.
Parma Children’s Center is a located at 915 E. Montecito Street. Operated by the Santa Barbara School Districts’ Child Development Program, Parma Children’s Center is a federally-funded program that serves working low-income families. Presently, approximately 70 children benefit from the program each year.
Threatening Note at San Marcos High School
At 11:15 a.m., Tuesday, April 18, 2000, three female students found an anonymous, typed, folded, two-part note laying on the ground outside the band room at San Marcos High School. The note contained threats of force and made reference to Hitler and the April 1999 violence at Columbine High School. It listed the names of eight San Marcos High School students and referenced certain ethnic groups and student groups. While school and District officials suspect that this is part of a post-Columbine prank, the Santa Barbara School Districts strongly enforce zero-tolerance for verbal, physical, or written threats. This note is being taken very seriously. As soon as the anonymous note was brought to their attention, the San Marcos staff quickly moved to deal with the situation in the following ways:
- The Sheriff’s Department was immediately informed of the situation and were on site within 15 minutes. School officials have been cooperating in every way with the Sheriff’s investigation.
- The students listed in the anonymous note were immediately called to the Principal’s Office. The note was discussed privately with each student.
- The parents of the students listed in the anonymous note were immediately notified by school staff and asked to report to the school. Principal Paul Serka and his staff have since met privately with all of those parents.
- Principal Serka spoke to each of the school groups referenced in the note.
- Principal Serka prepared a letter to all San Marcos High School parents informing them of the anonymous note that appeared on their campus.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 19, 2000, Principal Serka and his staff will address each class during Period Two. The purpose of the visit is to inform and update students of the situation and ask for their cooperation in sharing any information they may have.
Safe schools are a number one priority in the Santa Barbara School Districts. On a daily basis, the staff at each site take every precautionary measure possible to ensure campus safety. During this period of unusual tension, in addition to our on-going security measures, the Santa Barbara High School District has contracted to add security to each high school site. For several days, there will be added law enforcement presence on our three high school campuses (Dos Pueblos High School, San Marcos High School, Santa Barbara High School). All schools will be open on Thursday, April 20th, educating students as usual.
Sadly, in recent days, many high schools across the country have experienced post-Columbine anonymous threats. Last Friday, April 14th, Dos Pueblos High School received an anonymous letter containing threats of violence.
Personal safety is of tantamount importance to our parents, our schools, and our community. By keeping the lines of communication open, carefully listening to what our children are hearing and feeling, we can continue to work together on providing a safe, secure environment for all students. Parent/child dialogue is especially important at this time. If a student has concerns or negative feelings, school and community resources are available and ready to help.
Washington Elementary and Peabody Charter are Identified as California Distinguished Schools
The results are in and Washington Elementary School and Peabody Charter School were among the 233 schools selected as winners in the 2000 California Distinguished Schools Program. Less than three percent of all public schools in California receive this prized recognition for academic excellence and high-quality instructional programs. The Distinguished Schools will be honored at a special awards ceremony on Friday, May 5, 2000, at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim.
The California Distinguished Schools Program was established in 1985. It recognizes elementary and secondary schools in alternate years. This year, approximately 700 of the state’s 8,000 schools applied. As part of the process, applications are evaluated and those deemed exemplary remain in the pool of candidates. The candidate schools undergo a rigorous selection process, including a site visit to validate the information provided in their application. According to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin, "These schools are committed to a superior standard of education, making them leaders in the education community." She continued, "The schools we celebrate are a tribute to California. Parent participation, school staff commitment, professional development, community involvement, and academic achievement are exemplary in these schools." They are living proof of what is possible when people are committed to meeting high standards."
SMHS Scholastic All-CIF Qualifiers
The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) recently identified all the student-athletes in California who have received Scholastic All-CIF recognition. Individual student-athletes maintaining a minimum 3.5 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) during their season of sport competition have been recognized with an achievement certificate. This recognition program, along with the CIF Scholastic State Champions awards program, is designed for teams and individuals competing in sports that offer state championships. During the winter athletic season, the sports include boys’ and girls’ basketball and wrestling.
The Winter Sports Scholastic All-CIF students from San Marcos High School are: Megan Barnes (4.0), Chelsea Popp (4.0), Nancy Thieu (4.0), Asher Kupperman (4.0), Amanda Bible (3.87), Charles Olenberger (3.87), Rena Faccuito (3.85), April Jamie (3.75), Kristopher Carlsen (3.75), Richard Pertsulakes (3.62), Ashley Jones (3.57), Manuel Alarcon (3.57), Heather McGinnis (3.50), Tyler Elwell (3.50), Ryan King (3.50), and Adam Nance (3.50).