Page 1 - Dinuba Sentinel 5-24-18 E-edition
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Dinuba Sentinel Serving the communities of Dinuba, Cutler-Orosi and Monson-Sultana
Memorial Day
Avenue of Flags Ceremony Monday at 10 a.m.
News, Page A3
Thursday, May 24, 2018
Softball Playoffs
Top-seeded Dinuba High's Valley hopes on the line Sports, Page B1
Established 1909, Dinuba, California
50 Cents
State funding for new Dinuba high school may have wait
By Jackson Moore News@thedinubasentinel.com
The paperwork for funding the new Dinuba High School is ahead of schedule, but the funding itself is not.
It was revealed at the May 17 Dinuba Unified School Board meeting that at the state’s current pace for funding school projects, DUSD would not see the money for the new high school campus until 2027. The statement drew a visible reaction from each of the board members.
School facility consultant Danielle Lim said, “If we’re planning to submit in June, the funding for that, based on how OPSC (Office of Public School Construction) is doing now, is July 2027. So that
is very far away from now. That really depends on what changes with the new governor and if they keep this up. No one is happy about it. I know there is an effort to get these bonds sold.
“This cash flow analysis is based on how much bonds the state is planning to sell every year. Right now they are about $300 million every six months.”
Terry Bradley, a school business consultant, explained that schools used to get their requested money immediately, but changes from the top of the California government chain have hurt the process.
“Politics are being played at the expense of kids and that’s really, really unfortunate,” Bradley said. Bradley added that once a new governor is elected this fall, the board can expect significant
changes to the process.
He concluded, “It’s going to be way before 2027; that’s my prediction.”
While the estimated time frame provided some bad news, the board also received good news of expected additional funding. The current funding estimate is $73,692,434 for the new campus, which the district nor residents of Dinuba will have to reimburse due to the district’s financial hardship status. The district may also get an additional $8.3 million in Career and Technological Education Pathway funding for new facilities at the new campus.
An analysis on the district’s applications revealed that they are “likely” to receive a combined $5 million in state money and a state loan for the transportation pathway (auto shop) and another $3.2 million for the building and construction
trades pathway.
The district will likely have to improve and
reapply funding applications for the health science and medical pathway, as well as the agriculture pathway. Those requests were for $6 million each.
“We were all very surprised that med did not score as high,” DUSD Chief Business Official Peggy Garispe said. “We thought that would be our top - There’s some things we can do to strengthen those applications.”
For the transportation application, Garispe said, “It was a shock to us. We got nearly a perfect score on the transportation / auto shop. It was incredible.”
The combined funds would put the district at
See High School, Page A8
COJUSD's
Valdez
honored by
state award
By Rick Curiel Sports@thedinubasentinel.com
At Orosi High School their motto is painted in large letters on the campus walls. It reads, “Dream Big, Work Hard, Give Back.”
That motto completely encapsulates the life of Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District Superintendent Yolanda Valdez, and
Yolanda Valdez now her hard work has been recognized by the Association of California School Administrators, as she was recently named the Superintendent of the Year of Region XI. The region covers all school districts within Tulare, Kings, Kern, Inyo
and Mono counties.
“I feel more comfortable giving awards
out then receiving them,” said Valdez of the accolade. “But I think what is more meaningful to me than even having the award is that Jim Vidak nominated me. That’s an honor in itself.”
Vidak is the outgoing Tulare County Superintendent of Schools. He is stepping down after 28 years in the office, making the nomination of Valdez one of the final acts of the longest running Superintendent in county history.
After growing up in the Orosi area and graduating from Orosi High in 1987, Valdez went on to get her college education at Fresno State, before returning to Dinuba and Orosi to pursue her career in education.
She began her career in 1991 at Jefferson Elementary School in Dinuba
See Valdez, Page A2
“Celebrating our Stars”
Jackson Moore | The Sentinel
Jackson Moore | The Sentinel
Erika Helo was awarded the Woman of the Year Award on Friday.
Lions Club recognizes Cutler-Orosi community members
Miguel Castaneda was awarded the Man of the Year Award.
By Jackson Moore News@thedinubasentinel.com
Though Miguel Castaneda lives in Fresno, the community of Cutler-Orosi and the circumstances of its local youth provide a familiar setting.
His nine years of commuting to Cutler show his dedication to the people he serves, lending to his honor as the Cutler-Orosi Man of the Year.
“I was raised in a family as the first generation to go to school,” Castaneda said. “I was one of those kids in the farms working. Thanks to my parents, they molded me and I became who I am.
“Many of these young youth come from struggles and are farm laborers, like I did. I related to them, I came to understand how much the job really means to them, as much as it meant to me growing up. Although while growing up, I would have loved
having somebody there, guiding me, preparing me through struggles. Knowing I’m capable of helping, these hard days and long hours make it worth doing.”
Miguel Castaneda, senior program specialist of Community Services Employment Training (CSET), was presented with the award at the conclusion of the Cutler-Orosi Lions Club’s 69th Annual Community Awards Night at the Orosi Memorial Hall on Friday.
“I feel like I’m a tomato I’m so red,” Castaneda said while accepting the honor. “I’m speechless.”
At CSET, Castaneda helps local youth with various programs that the organization offers from its Cutler location, particularly the Tech Connect program. Castaneda teaches students how to use computers and ultimately prepare free tax returns for those in need.
Castaneda was also credited for painting over graffiti, cleaning litter, providing parenting education
and serving at the local senior center.
Likewise, the Cutler-Orosi Woman of the Year has
also given back much to her community. Erika Helo was awarded the honor for her volunteer service at Cutler School and for her cooking and serving at the Cutler-Orosi Thanksgiving Banquet for nearly three decades.
In her introduction, Erika Quevedo said of Helo, “As a volunteer she was a role model for other parents, showing that despite the language barrier, parents can contribute to their children’s education. Fast forward many years later, those children have children of their own.”
After receiving the award, Helo told the audience “I just want to thank everybody. I just want to tell everyone here tonight to accept each other, our
See Awards, Page A2
Supervisor, Assembly candidates share platforms
Jackson Moore | The Sentinel
By Jackson Moore News@thedinubasentinel.com
Steve Worthley’s 20-year run as Tulare County Supervisor for District 4 is nearing its end and on May 16 two of the suitors for his seat gave their case for election to local voters.
City of Dinuba Vice Mayor Kuldip Thusu and Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District President Eddie Valero both answered a variety of questions posed by the audience - The other candidate, Romelia Castillo, was unable to attend.
The event was coordinated by the Government Affairs Committee of the Dinuba Chamber of Commerce. Questions from the audience were submitted and selected by a bipartisan GAC panel and posed to the candidates by Fred Hall, publisher of the Dinuba Sentinel.
The candidates were asked to stick to the issues and avoid personal attacks, avoiding a debate-style event. Neither Thusu nor Valero threw a verbal jab during the event.
Thusu, who spoke first, opened by saying,
“I became a city council member, vice mayor, president of the California League of Cities South San Joaquin Valley. I’ve come to a stage in life where I am about to give up my other things and focus totally on giving back. This will be the right transition for me to be a supervisor of Tulare County. What I promise is safe neighborhoods and safe schools.”
Valero followed in his opening statement, explaining his work as the COJUSD Board President and vice president of the Valley Regional Occupational Board, “It just goes to show my commitment, my passion, my persistence, has always been in District 4 - where I’ve been in the trenches day in and day out, getting resources needed into our communities. For me, this position is about hard work and dedication in order to truly make a difference.”
The first question got straight to the point: “What is the most pressing need or problem facing Tulare County District 4 and how can you solve it?”
Valero pointed to public safety, quality
See Forum, Page A6
Jackson Moore | The Sentinel
Kuldip Thusu, candidate for Tulare County Supervisor District 4, speaks to the audience in Dinuba.
Eddie Valero, candidate for Tulare County Supervisor District 4, speaks to the audience in Dinuba.
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