There is a problem in RiverPark!
I want to speak briefly about a serious community problem. We, in Oxnard and El Rio, have a school district that is in a serious crisis. The Rio School District, which serves much of Oxnard and all of El Rio, is currently experiencing very serious financial and leadership problems.
The governing board of the Rio School District, on Feb. 2, essentially fired Superintendent Dr. Patrick Faverty without public hearing or just cause.
In actuality, the board placed Dr. Faverty on paid administrative leave. They then proceeded to appoint an interim superintendent to fill the vacancy from February through June.
The cost of placing Dr. Faverty on paid administrative leave is estimated at approximately $80,000 through June.
The estimated cost for an interim superintendent through June is also $80,000.
The cost for an executive search consultant to aid in recruiting potential candidates is estimated to be $50,000.
Are you still with me? This board majority — Eve Acosta, Simon Ayala and Ken Ortega — have committed district resources of $210,000 to carry out their own very personal vendetta against Dr. Faverty. When asked, the district financial officer reported the district had just $60,000 to spend, period. In one evening, this board overdrew the district checkbook by the tune of $150,000.
Why do I say there is a problem in RiverPark? RiverPark represents the most forward-thinking, planned community ever in the history of the city of Oxnard. Say what you may about affordable housing. RiverPark is indeed targeted to affluent families — families who will want superior educational opportunities for their children. This is the reason RiverPark is building three new schools within the development. These schools are in the Rio School District.
It doesn’t matter how nice these homes are, families will not want to buy in this development if their local school board continues to bankrupt the district.
In the act of firing Dr. Faverty, the current board majority has, in essence, said, “We do not care about educating children. We just want to keep our campaign promises to our friends.� These actions and attitudes will prevent the district from recruiting the highly qualified individual they will require for their new superintendent. RiverPark is providing three top-quality schools to the Rio School District, but the Rio School District will be able to hire its new superintendent only from the very bottom of the candidate barrel.
Is this any way to attract affluent families to buy in the RiverPark development? I think not.
Please support the recall of Eve Acosta, Simon Ayala and Ken Ortega from the Rio School District Governing Board.
— Jim Pearson, Oxnard
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