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SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CV, NO. XIII
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THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022
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ANNIVERSARY
Fine Arts Academy Celebrates 22 Years in Atascadero
AUSD Makes Partnership with Company Smart Social Winter Benchmark Assessments and high school’s seven-period schedule were also addressed By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
ATA S C A D E R O — Atascadero Unified School District (AUSD) met for their regularly scheduled board meeting on Tuesday, Apr. 5, at 7 p.m. following their 6 p.m. The founders of Atascadero’s Fine Arts Academy pose for a photo in 2000, the first year of the school. Contributed photo Closed Session. Charlene Ables, a member The school, the being. And though COVID“He [Dodds] started two Pietsch, one of FAA’s founders. of Assistance League of SLO 19 stopped its 20-year celebra- ‘academy’ model schools — “I should also add that there brainchild of Dr. tion and reunion in 2020, staff, Santa Rosa, which had an was a great deal of support County, reported to the board Dan Dodds, began past students, and the school’s accelerated reading program as from interested parents, which on Operation School Bell. “Our primary philanthropic in 2000 founders are remedying that well as other innovative alter- helped the school board approve program, Operation School this year. native curriculums, and the the school. It was quite a bold Bell, provides new school-apThe Fine Arts Academy Fine Arts Academy, which, and daring venture.” By CHRISTIANNA MARKS propriate clothing to kindergar- christianna@atascaderonews.com began in 2000 and was the in addition to a full academic The Fine Arts Acadeten thru 12th-grade students brainchild of Dr. Dan Dodds. curriculum, would also offer a my’s founding team in 2000 in need, living and attending ATASCADERO — It’s been Dodds was Atascadero Unified comprehensive Arts Program consisted of Principal Steve school in all 10 school districts 22 years since Atascadero’s Fine School District superintendent every day. We were hired to put Ventura and Secretary Evie CONTINUED ON PAGE A15 Arts Academy (FAA) came into from 1997-99. the school together,” said Alan Lanier, along with Cheryl
New Trial Date Set After Venue Change for Paul, Ruben Flores A hearing on April 20 will discuss trial venue changes By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
The Templeton Parent Teacher Association committee poses for photo at the Black and White Ball last weekend. Contributed photo
Returning Black and White Ball Raises Six Figures for Templeton Schools
A grand total of $141,656 was raised by TES, VES + TMS Parent Teacher Organizations
TEMPLETON — The Black and White Ball, put on by the TES, VES + TMS Parent Teacher Organizations (PTO), was held on Saturday,
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Mar. 26, for its fifth year. The ball was held at Rava Wines in Paso Robles and raised funds for Templeton and Vineyard elementary schools, and Templeton Middle School. Over 300 people attended the event, including volun-
COMMUNITY
CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
KRISTIN SMART CASE
FUNDRAISER
By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
Hockett, Steve Collins, Susan Donk, Melissa Bourbeau, and Pietsch as the academic and art teachers. In addition, Beth Klemm taught chorus, Brian Wallace taught band, Suzanne Culver taught drama, and Vicki Buerster taught Spanish. Though the Fine Arts Academy has art in its title, it’s not strictly an arts school. It shares
teers and entertainment. And a grand total of $141,656 was raised by TES, VES, + TMS PTO, which was 236 percent of their fundraising goal. “The generosity of our small but mighty community CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
NEWS BRIEFS
SAN LUIS OBISPO — The trial for Paul (45) and Ruben (80) Flores has been rescheduled for May 31. The new trial date was selected during a virtual San Luis Obispo County Superior Court pre-trial hearing on Monday, Apr. 4. The father and son are charged in connection with the 1996 disappearance and murder of 19-year-old Cal Poly student Kristin Smart. The new trial date follows San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge Craig van Rooyen’s ruling on Mar. 30, granting a venue change for the trial. Judge van Rooyen
FEATURE
concluded that Paul and Ruben Flores would not receive a fair and impartial trial in San Luis Obispo County. Before the judge announced his decision, both Ruben and Paul Flores’s attorneys, Robert Sanger and Harold Mesick, argued the case had been overwhelmingly exposed to the public. Sanger added that local prejudice by potential jurors is a clear danger. San Luis Obispo County District Attorney (DA) Prosecutor Christopher Peuvrelle argued against it. Peuvrelle argued nationwide coverage of the case means familiarity with the case — it has not been centered in San Luis Obispo County only. Ultimately, Judge van Rooyen said he took everything presented so far into consideration but says he finds it a reasonable likelihood the
Floreses won’t receive a fair and impartial trial in San Luis Obispo County. He added media coverage of the case over time weighed on his decision, specifically how coverage and interest in the case have increased over the years. A hearing is set for Apr. 20 at 8:30 a.m. to determine new details of changing the venue. Sanger, who is Paul Flores’s defense attorney, said Paul is only willing to wave time for 60 days from today’s date but not any further. Peuvrelle stated he had not received confirmation from the California Judicial Council regarding venues available to take on the trial. He was concerned Apr. 20 would be too soon to select a new county. Smart was last seen with Paul Flores leaving an off-campus party on Crandall Way in San CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
WEATHER
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