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CVUSD Board votes on a final map
Panther Prowler • March 1, 2019
Students’ Election Guide 2020 presidential race
Gianna Spiro Ad Manager On Feb. 19 the Conejo Valley Unified School District school board held their fourth meeting of the year where they made a final decision on a By-Trustee area map, and discussed a possible revision of the “opt-out book” policy. CVUSD has been in the works of transitioning to a ByTrustee area election system since receiving a letter on June 8, 2018 claiming that the District’s current method of electing board members through at-large elections violates the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA). There were three drafts created by the District’s demographer and legal counsel which placed the five board members in separate electoral zones.The maps also included a data table showing the total population, the population of people over the age of 18 and the number of registered voters. This data comes from a census done in 2010. The board members voted 4-1 and chose Map 3A, a revised version of original Map 3 that takes into account community suggestions. Many community members favored this one, despite feeling that none of the maps were perfect. “After learning about the maps and considering each carefully, I feel that Map 3A is the most effective for the community, and will provide a voice for latinos within the community and school board,” Naomi Centeno, senior at Thousand Oaks High School, said. “After reviewing all the maps we support Map 3A… and we think that the implications of the map will bring positive change not just latinos but for everyone,” said Lilian Mendoza, president of Adelante de Comunidad for Conejo Valley. Board member, Sandee Everett, was not in favor of map 3A due to her belief that it was altered by community members and by a politically associated organization, “Conejo Together.” “My concern with (Map 3A) and any of the maps presented by Conejo Together is that if the district is faced with a lawsuit it shows that we paid a demographer $18,000 and we chose a map created by community members. They have a Political Action Committee that donated money to three of our trustees. I just don’t know if that’s going to make us look good,” said Everett During this meeting the members also discussed a possible revision of policy 6161.1, commonly known as the opt-out
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policy. With about 20 public comment cards, it was quite clear that the community had a lot input to the discussion. “It seems to me there are just two opinions. One opinion, which in my research I have found there are a number of items that obviously came from CNN T.V. news, they are fake…. Parents have a right to teach their children values...a lot of that comes from literature,” Bill Spangler, community member, said. “I want to thank the board for reopening this policy. It’s essential that a new alternative assignment is written by curriculum experts, with no trustee influence. The cenerious elements in 6161.1 must be stripped out of the policy, ” John Cummings, community member said. In the end, the board discussion resulted in a decision to revise the policy, using a teacher committee and possibly other school’s ideas.
Vote- On Feb. 19, the CVUSD Board had their fourth meeting of the year, deciding on a By Trustee Area map, and the possible revision of the well-known “opt-out policy”. Many community members were in favor of Map 3A, like Naomi Centeno, senior, at Thousand Oaks High School. “ I feel that Map 3A is the most effective for the community, and will provide a voice for latinos within the community and school board,” Centeno said. Gianna Spiro/Prowler
Four new candidates join the presidential field Carter Castillo Staff Writer The past three weeks have seen four new potential presidents throw their hats into the ring as they join an already large democratic field. Vermont Senator Bernard (Bernie) Sanders, 77, announced his candidacy on Feb. 19. Sanders is a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, and as such many of his policy positions fall to the left of most democratic senators. Sanders is an independent senator, meaning that he is not technically a registered Democrat, however he does caucus with the democrats and is seeking with their nomination. Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, 58, announced her candidacy at a rally, met with lots of snow. Klobuchar has been a Minnesota senator since 2007. Klobuchar has the highest staff turnover rate according to Politico, and she told voters in New Hampshire that “Am I a tough boss sometimes? Yes. Have I pushed people too hard? Yes”. Klobuchar has also described herself as the “senator next door.” Former Republican Governor Bill Weld of Massachusetts, 73, has announced that he is challenging incumbent President Donald Trump for the republican nomination for president. Weld has not held political office since 1997, however he did run for vice president with the Libertarian Party in 2016 with former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson. Weld describes himself as socially liberal and fiscally moderate. Former Representative of Texas Beto O’Rourke, 46, has stated that he has come to a decision on his potential presidential run. O’Rourke ran an unsuccessful senate bid for one of the two senate seats in Texas, ultimately losing to incumbent Ted Cruz, however he gained over 47 percent of the vote in Texas, but ultimately losing to incumbent Ted Cruz.
TOHS Employee and parent still hospitalized after hit and run Manas Khatore Staff Writer Lisa Solis faced a life-threatening situation on Feb. 8. The 50-year-old woman was confronting a 16-year-old about candy that he stole from a concession stand at Thousand Oaks High School when he deliberately hit her with his MercedesBenz. Solis suffered major injuries, including punctured lungs, internal bleeding in the brain and several broken bones. She was immediately taken to Los Robles Regional Medical Center and remains in critical condition as of Mar. 1. According to Sheriff ’s Office Sgt. Eric Buschow, the Westlake High School student fled to his car along with four other teens after stealing a chocolate bar. Solis stood in front of the car and told the boy to stop, to which he responded by accelerating and running her over. The teen got his driver’s license the day before the incident, and on Feb. 9, he was arrested on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon. The teen made his first appearance at the El Rio courthouse on Feb. 14 alongside defense attorney Ron Bamieh. Bamieh stated that the teen is a good student and feels remorse for Solis. According to Bamieh, the incident was largely due to panic and inexperience behind the wheel. Deputy District Attorney Maureen Byrne provided a rebuttal for this argument, stating that the teen deliberately used the car to seriously injure Solis. Superior Court Judge Kevin McGee decided to keep the teen in juvenile hall, potentially facing a sentence of seven years in
state prison. The CVUSD community has seen an overwhelming amount Solis is the activities assistant for TOHS and conducted the of support for Solis’s family. Vanessa Hernandez, Solis’ sister, school’s morning announcements. CVUSD Superintendent set up a GoFundMe page titled “#stayingstrongforlisa” the day Mark McLaughlin issued a statement showing his concern for after the incident occurred. In less than a week, the fundraiser Solis and her family. “Mrs. Lisa Solis…is a dedicated member gathered over $30,000 from community members. “We are of the TOHS team and a parent of CVUSD students. Please overwhelmed by this outpouring of love for our sister, wife, keep Lisa and her family in your thoughts and prayers,” mother, daughter and friend. Your words have truly comforted McLaughlin said. and helped us,” Hernandez said. - ADVERTISEMENT -
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