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Hybrid classes allow for flexibility
CLARION citrus college
Online at
ccclarion.com VOL LXXV • Issue 8
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
A semester in review
BY LUCY ARGAEZ
EDITOR- IN - CHIEF
LARGAEZ@CCCLARION.COM
Despite a 2019 pilot program of Hyflex model instruction, over $180,000 allocated for cameras and student interest in the instruction style, the Hyflex model will not be used during winter or spring 2022 semesters. The Hyflex model is a form of instruction that would allow the class to be taught in-person and virtually simultaneously. This teaching style allows for the class to be taught in two ways. The first way is having half the class in-person and the rest of the class online. Each half could alternate days or choose to stay online or in
Read Flex, Page 3
LUCY ARGAEZ - STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Brayan Ramirez and Mitchell Attaway work on an engine in the automotive tech garage on Nov. 24. See photos of Citrus’ classes on campus on pages 4 and 5.
Former head football coach reveals challenging past Owls’ former leader alleges Citrus discriminated against him and students BY JUSTIN GEORGE
MANAGING EDITOR
JGEORGE@CCCLARION.COM
A complaint filed in October by former Owls Head Football Coach Ron Ponciano with the Superior Court of the State of California alleges that Citrus discriminated against him because of his age, created a hostile work environment and caused him emotional distress. Ponciano stepped down from his position in July after 15 years coaching the team, a press release from Citrus College Athletics said. Defensive line Coach Brandon Hayashi stepped up to fill his spot. At its Oct. 5 meeting, the Board of Trustees unanimously voted to reject a $20 million claim against the district submitted by Ponciano on Aug. 30. Retaliatory behavior from the college started in 2018 when he raised concerns about his salary, Ponciano said in an interview along with his attorney, Paul Mahoney. “I just wanted to get paid what I was supposed to,” Ponciano said, citing his master’s degree and coaching experience, which he said his salary didn’t reflect. D i re c t o r of Human Resources CLARION FILE Robert Sammis
and former Superintendent/ President Geraldine Perri are the only Citrus employees named in the complaint, along with other unnamed defendants. Ponciano alleges them of trying to damage his reputation. Sammis was contacted for an interview, but declined to comment while the case is being litigated. Among his complaints, Ponciano alleges that eight Black players who were enrolled on the football team were denied payment plans, which Ponciano said he hasn’t seen happen anywhere else in college sports. In addition, Ponciano alleged in the complaint that Perri and Sammis spread rumors that he was going to get fired. He said he heard rumors from others in the athletic community before hearing anything from human resources. “My hand was shaking I was so angry,” Ponciano said. Immediately after raising concerns to Perri and human resources in 2018, retaliation started, Ponciano said. Some of the behaviors Ponciano alleged the college of include the scheduling of his practices in extreme heat, reduction of rental funds for his team and denying him resources. The complaint said a practice field was taken away from him before a conference championship game, which resulted in Ponciano drawing stripes across an entire softball field so his team could practice. The reason the college denied the players payment plans, Ponciano
said, was because their skill would have reflected too well on him as a coach, making him harder to get rid of. Under Ponciano, the Owls claimed an 8-3 victory over Saddleback College in the 2013 Beach Bowl, their first bowl victory in 25 years. More recently, they lost in the Western State Bowl to Chaffey College in 2018. In addition, Ponciano alleged the college of underpaying him in comparison to other coaches, who are PONCIANO “younger and less qualified,” the complaint said, and wrongly reporting his pay on Transparent California, a database of salaries for public employees. Ponciano’s most recent salary on Transparent California from 2018 is $114,730 regular pay. Despite that, he said Hayashi was a good choice. Now that he resigned, Ponciano said, all of his demands were met, including better conditions for players. While he’s glad things are better, he said he is angered that it took his resignation to make changes. Ponciano said he considers Citrus a special place with a great football team and players, but is now doubting the transparency of the college as a whole.
Promise program assists students BY AARON DEL CASTILLO-GUTIERREZ
STAFF REPORTER
AGUTIERREZ@CCCLARION.COM
Reporter’s note: Aaron was part of the Promise Program for two years, but is no longer a member. Students who are part of the Promise Program at Citrus College have their fall and spring tuition covered for the first two years. Citrus College Outreach Supervisor Nilda Chavez said 1,159 students at Citrus are in the Promise Program. Chavez said the Promise Program has been important to the College and its students. “I think it’s a great program to not only encourage them to complete their educational goals in two years and then transfer, if that’s something they want to do, but we also have a lot of students that you know just get a certificate,” Chavez said. The Promise Program helps students choose the correct path for an educational plan and they also help them transfer to a university, Chavez said. The California Promise Program is a state-funded program that covers tuition at all California community colleges, Chavez said. The state sets requirements for the program. “They have to complete a FAFSA and then they have to be enrolled in at least 12 units,” Chaves said. Students who are taking 12 units in the Promise Program are full time students.
Alexa Filatoff, who is a completion specialist at Citrus College, also works at the Promise Program. Filatoff said in an email it has been a great experience working for the program. “It has been a rewarding journey helping out our first generation college students acclimate to the Citrus College campus and providing the resources/tools to succeed,” Filatoff said. “My favorite part is seeing our students graduate.” Students who are in the Promise Program overall are doing amazing, Filatoff said. Students are completing their English/math sequences as well as their unit requirements. “Our students are communicating with us regularly and checking-in with us despite the challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Filatoff said. “This illustrates our students’ resilience throughout these demanding times and ability to adapt.” The Promise Program helps students by providing them with counseling services and assistance when they are struggling, Filatoff said. She also said the Promise Program counselors always try to maintain students’ program eligibility and provide options in these circumstances. The Promise Program will contact students if they are struggling in
Read Promise, Page 3