El Segundo school board issues layoff notices for 20 teachers – The Daily Breeze

The El Segundo school board has authorized issuing layoff notices for 20 teachers, an assistant principal and a counselor.

The decision comes two months after district officials announced they would be forced to reduce staffing numbers by 22 employees to close a $1.5 million budget gap for the 2010-11 fiscal year.

The layoffs come on the heels of stalled contract talks between the El Segundo Unified administration and the El Segundo Teachers Association. Teachers have asked the administration to dip into the district’s budget reserve to preserve jobs. A state mediator is scheduled to meet with both sides next week.

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The Beach Reporter – District faced with $2.5 million budget shortfall

Quoting from The Beach Reporter - by Jennifer Evans

Teachers, district faculty and School Board members tried to keep their chin up during the recent El Segundo Unified School District meeting when Chief Business Official Cheryl Lundgren briefed the board on the governor’s latest budget proposal. However, it was hard for anyone to ignore the somber mood that followed once the budget was discussed.

“I can’t stand here and tell you that El Segundo will be doing business as usual,” Lundgren informed the board Jan. 27. “Not when I look at the amount of money the state will expend to educate our children.”

Lundgren recapped a budget presentation from October 2008, where ESUSD had already been forced to make more than $1 million in cuts for the 2008-09 school year, of which approximately $480,000 was eventually restored due to a last-minute infusion of cash from the state and a one-time donation of $150,000 from the city of El Segundo. “But those restorations were extremely short-lived,” Lundgren said, “because the governor’s latest proposal contains midyear reductions in addition to deferred revenue limits.”

This means that ESUSD will need to implement $1 million in new cuts for the existing 2008-09 school year in order to balance its budget for the state-mandated March 15 second-interim budget report. Lundgren explained that the importance of a balanced budget couldn’t be more vital. “We need a positive certification in March,” she said, “in order to assure the state of California and Los Angeles County Office of Education that the district has enough reserves and cash flow to handle its financial liabilities.”

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El Segundo’s football season has been a winner thanks to its seniors – The Daily Breeze

El Segundo’s football season has been a winner thanks to its seniors – The Daily Breeze By Tony Ciniglio

When El Segundo beat Santa Clara in the opening round of the CIF Southern Section Northwest Division playoffs last week, receiver Joey Schaffhauser knew he had to do it.

He celebrated by getting a Mohawk haircut.

“I did it to be goofy, and I was excited to beat Santa Clara,” Schaffhauser said.

Schaffhauser’s impromtu action reflects the excitement that’s been building almost game by game on a senior-laden team.

Receiver Kevin Post, running back/linebacker Gage Mortesen, fullback/linebacker Kyle Yatabe and the versatile Schaffhauser have started together for three years and are captains along with junior quarterback Mike Bundy.

On a team with 22 seniors on its 30-man roster, these four seniors have helped transform El Segundo into one of the area’s top teams.

El Segundo hosts third-seeded St. Joseph/Santa Maria in today’s 7 p.m. quarterfinal, and these seniors want to see how far they can take the season, especially after missing the playoffs last year.

Read the entire article at El Segundo’s football season has been a winner thanks to its seniors – The Daily Breeze

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El Segundo district looks at developing land – The Daily Breeze

I went to this school from 1960 until 1966. My first day at Kindergarten was at this school. I remember ants got in my lunch and I cried because I didn’t have anything to eat. We played Star Trek during recess. You know how everyone remembers where they were when they heard that JFK was shot? I was standing in the breezeway near the third grade classes. I was facing north when teacher told us. I was 8 years old.

El Segundo district looks at developing land – The Daily Breeze By Nguyen Huy Vu

El Segundo Unified officials are considering a proposal to lease one of the district’s properties to a developer to build senior housing and athletic fields.

District officials hope the plan will help free up general fund dollars, especially as maintenance on the former school site at 540 East Imperial Ave. begins to become a financial drain.

School board members last week voted to approve an environmental assessment to see if the area is suitable for construction.

The decision came after a committee of community and business members agreed the site wasn’t needed to house students and that the district should focus its efforts on finding developers interested in building senior housing.

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The Beach Reporter – Voters pass Measure

The Beach Reporter - by Jennifer Evans

The El Segundo Unified School District was a victor election night when voters approved Measure “M,” the $14 million facilities bond, which promises improvements to El Segundo High School’s auditorium and outdoor athletic facilities.

At press time, with all precincts reporting, 66.95 percent of the vote was in favor of Measure “M” or 4,659 votes out of 6,959 votes cast.

“We are so thrilled that the community rose up in our time of need,” ESUSD Superintendent Geoff Yantz said. “We are so excited that we had a chance to hear from the community and hear their concerns so that we could make sure that all voices were heard in the process of addressing safety concerns for the outdoor physical education facilities and ESHS auditorium.”

During a recent ESUSD School Board meeting, the board prepared for its possible victory of Measure “M” by appointing a Citizens’ Oversight Committee comprising local citizens and taxpayers.

According to an explanation of the bond, residents of El Segundo would not receive an additional tax but would instead agree to a five-year extension of a previous tax increase, which was approved in 1997 and 2001. The taxes are dependent on the value of the resident’s home; the taxpayer is charged $59 for every $100,000 of a home’s assessed value. It also states that the bond money can only be used for the outdoor athletic and auditorium facilities, and none of the funds can be used for administrative salaries. A citizen oversight committee must be formed within 60 days of bond passage and annual audits for full public disclosure must ensue.

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The Beach Reporter – Residents seem to be supporting Measure

The Beach Reporter - by Jennifer Evans

With the election just around the corner, most people already know how they are going to vote and, according to a recent survey conducted in El Segundo regarding Measure “M,” the school facilities bond, voters will pass the $14 million bond that promises to improve the high school’s auditorium and outdoor athletic facilities.

According to an explanation of the bond, residents of El Segundo would not receive an additional tax but would instead agree to a five-year extension of a current property tax increase that was approved in 1997 and 2001. The taxes are dependent on the value of the resident’s home; the taxpayer is charged $59 for every $100,000 of a home’s assessed value. It also states that the bond money can only be used for the outdoor physical education/athletic and auditorium facilities, and none of the funds can be used for administrative salaries. A citizen oversight committee must be formed within 60 days of bond passage and annual audits for full public disclosure must ensue.

In a fact sheet released by the School Board regarding Measure “M,” it states that the $14 million bond will be used to repair and restore the 80-year-old high school auditorium and renovate high school athletic facilities to improve safety, access and community use.

However, not everyone agreed that another bond was the answer to the School District’s shortcomings. In a survey conducted among 300 randomly selected registered voters, one-third of the residents didn’t think that the quality of education was at least the same or better than it was a few years ago, and didn’t trust the board and district administration in terms of how they handled financial matters and oversight.

In a letter written to The Beach Reporter, Marc Rener expressed his disdain for the facilities bond. “As I opened my property tax bill, money, which goes to the El Segundo Unified School District, I’m looking at the additional hundreds of dollars in bonds that will continue to be on my tax statement for decades to come,” Rener wrote. “I’m tired of this city borrowing money today and paying for decades with interest. Try saving it first, then spend it.”

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El Segundo district aims for $14M bond – The Daily Breeze

I thought we already paid taxes? Why isn’t this stuff taken care of during the normal maintenance? Why do we need to spend more money when we already have a budget? Bonds are like getting credits cards. You’re stuck paying off interest for years. That’s not good money management.

Vote no on bonds.

El Segundo district aims for $14M bond – The Daily Breeze By Nguyen Huy Vu, Staff Writer

El Segundo Unified leaders are hopeful the second time’s the charm for a proposed bond measure to upgrade the district’s only high school.

But some residents critical of the plan on Tuesday’s ballot are concerned about the considerable interest that will accrue on the $14 million plan since the debt won’t be paid off for 24 years.

El Segundo High School is the site of TV commercials and Hollywood movies but the measure would overhaul an aging auditorium and athletic facilities within two years.

An estimated $7.7 million likely would be used to renovate school athletic facilities, including resurfacing the track, adding artificial turf to the football field and upgrading bleachers.

Another $6.3 million would be used to revamp the auditorium’s backstage rigging system, which moves stage sets and raises curtains, and fix the school’s electrical and plumbing systems.

El Segundo Unified is one of several school districts across the state proposing measures to help pay for big construction projects. Educators said 86 bond measures are on Tuesday’s ballot totaling nearly $22 billion.

It would be the district’s third successful bond effort in more than a decade if the measure passes with at least the required 55 percent of the vote. Voters approved requests for $24 million in 1997 and $25 million in 2001.

Superintendent Geoff Yantz said district planners spent nearly nine months searching for alternative funding options before deciding on a bond measure.

El Segundo Unified officials had considered using a combination of district dollars, donations and state grants but couldn’t manage to cobble together enough money to pay for the construction projects.

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The Beach Reporter –

The Beach Reporter - by Jennifer Evans

Having religious events on public school campuses can often be a source of controversy but so far, the students, staff and parents in El Segundo have been supportive of the first “Fields of Faith” event to be held Oct. 8, which will bring Christians and those who are interested in Christianity to El Segundo High School’s football field for a gathering of fellowship, music and prayer.

El Segundo High School teacher and coach Rick Sabosky is a Fellowship of Christian Athletes sponsor, and said that he believes and hopes that this event will help students have a better perspective on what their goals or aspirations might be.

“Kids are just so inundated with MTV and all the other stuff that is out there, and I just think that an event like this will introduce them to a deeper, more meaningful path than the one they might be on,” Sabosky said.

“I know everyone has their opinion on Christianity, but we just want this to be a positive event for students or for anybody who wants to participate,” he said, adding that the event is open to youth from the entire South Bay.

The event will feature a Christian rock band, a Christian rapper and student athletes who will give their testimony.

Fields of Faith began four years ago in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas with 23 fields and 6,000 youth. Last year, the event grew to reach almost the entire country with 75,000 students participating on 386 fields.

“Athletic fields provide a neutral and familiar spot for students to assemble,” Les Steckel, FCA president and a former NFL coach said. “Many nights are spent on those fields cheering on local teams, but on this particular night the praise belongs to God.”

Speaking of or even saying “God” is knowingly not permitted by teachers in the classroom. However, Sabosky explained that high school clubs of all types are permitted to use school grounds for events and fund-raisers as long as it is not during classtime hours.

“Everything we are doing is within the bounds of what is legal and although I am sure not everyone agrees, so far we have not heard any complaints about the upcoming event,” Sabosky said. “Everyone is extremely supportive.”

Oklahoma native Jeff Martin said he conceived the idea for Fields of Faith when searching for a way to address the spiritual battles facing today’s generation of youth. “Throughout history, God has sparked great spiritual awakenings though young people,” Martin said. “That is the power of what we are trying to accomplish though Fields of Faith. It goes beyond its appearance of a one-night rally on an athletic field. It goes to the heart of the future of a nation. It’s not just another event, it’s a change of culture.”

“Fields of Faith” will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at the El Segundo football field.

“We don’t know what to expect,” Sabosky said. “We could get five kids and we could have 500 show up.” Play Audio

Read the entire article at The Beach Reporter -.

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Erwin Howard: ‘I thought: God, I killed her’ – Press-Telegram

Erwin Howard: ‘I thought: God, I killed her’ – Press-Telegram By Denise Nix, Staff Writer

Erwin Howard is overcome with emotion as he describes the killing of his former wife, popular El Segundo Realtor Julia Deede Keller, in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom Monday. Under a plea deal, Howard, 54, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. (Robert Casillas / Staff Photographer)

Standing over his former wife in the El Segundo home they once shared, Erwin Howard recalled that one thought replayed in his mind: “I killed her. I killed her. I killed her.”

As Howard gave his dramatic and stunning confession Monday in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom, Julia “Deede” Keller’s friends and family members held hands and cried.

As part of a plea deal reached during Howard’s third day of trial, Howard agreed to tell everything about Keller’s death early on July 9, 2004.

Immediately following his confession, Howard, 54, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.

Under the deal, Keller’s family and law enforcement representatives had to agree they would not oppose parole for Howard when he is eligible in about 12 years.

With his hands over his heart and tears in his eyes, Howard faced the courtroom audience and apologized.

“I know that saying I’m sorry is not enough,” Howard said. “But I’m sorry.”

In return, Keller’s loved ones accepted his apology and thanked him for taking responsibility and saving them from what was shaping up to be a two-month trial.

Pat Sparks, sister of slain El Segundo Realtor Julia ''Deede'' Keller, tells admitted killer Erwin Howard that she forgives him. Howard, Keller s ex-husband, apologized after telling a court how she died. (Robert Casillas / Staff Photographer)

“You’ve salvaged a thread of respect now and you can go to sleep knowing you did the right thing,” said Keller’s son Michael.

Consistent with the prosecution’s theory of the case, Howard admitted he was angry with Keller for dating another man because he believed they were rekindling their relationship.

Howard and Keller, a successful real estate agent, married in 1998 after a short courtship. They separated in 2003 and the divorce became final one year later.
However, they remained close and Howard was still a common fixture at Keller’s home in the 500 block of Richmond Street.

From the witness stand, Howard said he learned Keller was seeing someone new when he used her computer to check a flight, and saw an e-mail from a friend to Keller asking about a date.

On June 30, 2004,

Julia “Deede” Keller
Howard confronted Keller with the e-mail. The incident ended when he slapped her and she told him to leave her alone.
During questioning by Deputy District Attorney John Lewin, Howard said Keller called him once after that argument and he went to her home sometime around midnight July 9, 2004, to talk about their relationship.

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Easy Reader – The Angels swept

Easy Reader – The South Bay’s Hometown News

“Damn Yankees,” a modern retelling of the Faust legend set in the 1950s, is produced by The Summer Youth Drama Camps tonight through Saturday at 7 p.m. in the El Segundo High School Auditorium, 640 Main St., El Segundo. Same schedule next week also. Tickets, $8 at the door. Kristie Rutledge directs. (310) 524-2700.

Read the entire article at Easy Reader – The South Bay’s Hometown News.

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