Oakley Press 02.24.17

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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

Vol. 17, No. 8

OUESD Using their brain power declared a safe haven

February 24, 2017

Could You Be The Match?

by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer

The Oakley Union Elementary School District Board recently passed a resolution, hoping to squash fears on campus surrounding possible changes in immigration law after the recent national election. The declaration reaffirms that students, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender or beliefs, will not be harassed, threatened or bullied at school. “Our No. 1 charge as a district is to ensure all of our students are safe everyday, and that is at the core of our beliefs in what we do,” said Superintendent Greg Hetrick. “If the students don’t feel safe, then they can’t engage in academics that we are trying to share with them.” The declaration comes months after State see Safe Haven page 26

Oakley residents are looking for a bone-marrow match for their infant son. Page 4

Feeling The Delta Blues Photo courtesy of Jonathan Lance

F

reedom High School students scored in the top tier at the recent 2017 East County Regional Academic Decathlon. Freedom came in third out of seven competing schools, edging just behind Campolindo and Acalanes high schools. Directed by the Contra Costa County Office of Education, the Academic Decathlon provides an opportunity for high school students to compete as individuals and teams in a series of ten academic tests and demonstrations. This year’s decathlon theme was World War II.

District holds on social-media proposal by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer

The Antioch Unified School District Board has shelved a proposal by Superintendent Stephanie Anello, for Mike Burkholder, founder and publisher of the news website Eastcountytoday.net, to create a media platform highlighting positive stories from the district. The idea, brought forth by Burkholder, an Oakley resident, called for the creation of a district news website and assistance with public outreach, as well as help with creating press releases and photography and implementing of a socialmedia strategy for $53,900 a year. The board tabled the proposal last week after three of the district’s five board members expressed various concerns, and it became clear that the agreement wasn’t going to

“ I think a lot of us were stunned – I thought I had dirt in my eyes.

AUSD Board President Walter Ruehlig be approved. Anello said late last week she was unsure how she would proceed with the matter and didn’t know if another proposal would be brought forth in the future. The concerns of board members Walter Ruehlig, Debra Vinson and Crystal Sawyer-White centered on Burkholder’s conflict of interest as a local website publisher and former school-board candidate, lack of other bids for the work and the use of funds, which board members argued should be used for other purposes.

“I think a lot of us were stunned – I thought I had dirt in my eyes,” said Ruehlig, the board’s president. “Basically, my position is that the issue would have been problematic enough as is with all our other pressing district needs.” Vinson declined to discuss the matter, because it is still ongoing, but said during the meeting that she had received phone calls expressing unease about the proposal. “There is just a lot of concern,” she said. “A lot of people feel there is a conflict of interest.” The three public speakers at

the meeting all spoke against the proposal, touching on the perceived conflict of interest, Burkholder’s alleged verbal attack of one of his website’s readers and the desire to see the proposal’s funds go elsewhere. Subsequent comments on social media reiterated public concerns. “Glad to see Burkholder didn’t get the gig,” said Dave Roberts. “It was a crazy idea to spend so much money on such a negative person to put a positive face on a troubled district. Vinson is exactly right – it would do much more for the district’s image to spend that $53,900 to improve academic outcomes, rather than waste it on a flawed spin doctor.” Anello said that the proposal see Proposal page 26

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County court joins 48 trial courts in urging Gov. Brown to provide adequate funding.

Delta Blues Festival organizers host 6th Annual Benefit Concert for the musical event. Page 8

Avoiding A Playoff Upset

Patriots rally to take an 88-77 victory over El Cerrito Gouchos at NCS playoff game. Page 17 Business.................................13 Calendar................................27 Classifieds.............................21 Cop Logs................................25 Entertainment.......................9 Food..........................................8 Milestones............................10 Pets.........................................11 Sports.....................................17

Road Closures

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Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors closes roads for emergency repairs.


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