Letters to the Editor

opment that span social, economic, and environmental issues,” are important and scientifically proven issues, such as climate change, social inequalities, microplastics and trash in our oceans. These are realities, and parents have no right to deny students’ rights to learn about them.

Chase Hammond,18, Paso Robles High School

Dear Editor, Regarding the debate over a chemistry textbook (“School Board Approves Controversial Chemistry Textbook”, March 15), I don’t see any problem with the existing textbook. In fact, I support the fact that chemistry is more than just science. As a PRHS student, I understand that teachers do share their own opinion with their classes at times. But at the end of the day, it is our own decision on where we stand. It’s understandable that parents could be concerned about the material that is given to us students but they should also keep an open mind. It’s important to recognize multiple sides of global challenges. Ultimately, I don’t see the problem with the existing chemistry textbook.

Melissa Zatarain, 17, Paso Robles High School

Dear Editor,

As a student of PRHS who took AP Chemistry last year, I can confidently state that this whole deal made over the text book is bogus. I understand how parents want to protect their children and make sure their young ones are receiving high quality education without bringing political views into the mix. I can see how the UN being mentioned in the book can cause some suspicion, but it seems like these same closed-minded people who have a problem with this book haven’t even taken the time to understand the meaning and context of the text presented. Accordingly, books should be reviewed and selected by teachers/administrators and not parents. Our teachers are highly skilled and educated on the subjects they’ve studied, and should be the people to decide which books best support their teaching program.

Morgan Stowell, 18, Paso Robles HighSchool

Paso Robles Joint Unified School District Special Election

Dear Editor, As a student at Paso Robles High School, I feel that Kenney Enney was the best candidate for the Paso Robles school board elec - tions. He is the most qualified candidate, and is very focused on the students well being and educational quality. When asked about financial priorities Enney stated that “priorities will focus on eliminating wasteful spending in order to maintain current programs” and that “future spending should be established after community input.” Enney is committed to the community and he doesn’t want to sacrifice beneficial programs -- only wasteful spending should be stopped. Kenney Enney was the better candidate because of his consideration for his community and students.

This is not a debate about the rights of adults, who if they choose to transition have the right to do so and must be afforded the same rights as any other American citizen afterwards.

Parental sovereignty has been the norm globally since time immemorial, reflected in the Torah, Bible, Quran, and Brahma sutta. We feed, house, love, and above all protect our children, with our very lives if we must. Now the state seeks to supplant that. A Trafalgar poll found 78.7 percent believed minors should be required to wait to undergo sex-change procedures. Puberty blockers can interfere with normal brain function and cause infertility, and many parents consider sex change surgery to be irreversible mutilation of their child.

Do we expect that American parents will accept the state taking their kids away and mutilating them? This is going to turn out very badly.

The passion of the Trans community and its political supporters is obvious, and its members have the best of intentions. George Orwell wrote, “A totalitarian state is in effect a theocracy, and its ruling cast, in order to keep its position, has to be thought of as infallible.” But fallible they are. We gave birth to our children, changed their diapers, fed them the healthiest foods, taught them to tie their shoes, good table manners, morals, the golden rule, sent them to the best schools, how our republic functions, and celebrated holidays filled with love. We taught them right from wrong and cried a little when they left for college. You can’t have them, Big Brother, and candidly, you aren’t nearly as well-equipped as parents to decide what is right for them.

Don Schmitz is an independent columnist for The Malibu Times, he along with Lance Simmens write a bi-weekly column on national topics from the perspective of their political leanings you can forward any comments you have to editorial@ malibutimes.com.

Ali Lithwin, Senior, Paso Robles High School

In Response to Connie Pillsbury’s April 13

Commentary

Dear Editor, Regarding Connie Pillsbury’s commentary on Thursday, April 13, 2023: Mrs Pillsbury’s commentary ticked off many of the anti-secular bullets of some far right extremist religious groups. The constant attack on public education, unions, and teachers is a distraction to confiscate tax payers’ money in order to reward private schools that will religiously indoctrinate children. It’s also a way to reduced costs to families who send their children to very expensive private schools. Schools that even with a voucher will be financially unattainable to most middle/low income families. Public secular education must be protected from religious authoritarian organizations. It is the responsibility of public schools to provide safe learning environments and to accept each child as beautiful and valued. Religious teachings belong in the home and churches, not in public schools. I don’t want my tax dollars to go to any Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, Christian, etc school. Secular Democracy survives under the separation of church and state.

Respectfully, Linda Campeggi Atascadero cooking for the event and prepares the seating area for the post-derby hot dog lunch and raffle.”

The derby was the brainchild of Paso Robles Optimist Del Bishop, one of the top bass fishermen in the area. He drafted others to assist him, including someone with a love of fishing and providing service to kids. The members of the club are encouraged to bring their passion to the club and find ways to incorporate those passions into helping kids. The club wants to show the youth of the area that there is a service group that cares about them and wants to support their efforts to just be kids.

“We hold the derbies as a way to give back to the youth of our area. The Optimist Club is dedicated to improving the lives of youth in the community and this event goes a long to promote that effort,” Sawyer said. “I grew up fishing and have never lost that desire to be on the water. Watching a kid experience the thrill of catching their first fish and the smiles they have from ear to ear make it all worth the effort.”

Educators (PRPE) and District Management. Then on Feb. 28, 2023, the Board of Trustees approved the agreement with California School Employees Association, Chapter #254. These agreements are what bring forward approval for Dubost’s 10 percent compensation increase.

However, that approval did not come easy on Tuesday night. Two public commenters disagreed with the COLA increase, and trustees

Dorian Baker and Laurene McCoy also opposed the raise.

“He needs to earn it through merit, not equity,” said Paso Robles resident Berkley Baker of Dubost’s wage increase.

Baker reasoned his position, saying the student scoring throughout the district is too low, teachers and administrators are not supported, and the “working conditions are dreadful.”

Paso Robles resident Michael Rivera echoed Baker in not agreeing with the COLA increase for Dubost.

Trustee Sondra Williams expressed her support for Dubost: “Dr. Dubost

The first complaint was dismissed. A source sent Paso Robles Press a letter from FPPC outlining their reason for why the second complaint was also dismissed.

The letter sent from FCCP Acting Chief Enforcement Division Christopher B. Burton, stated the complaint “alleged violations of the Act’s unlawful gift provisions, but under the Act, gifts are made principally for personal purposes, not political purposes.”

Burton added, “District policies, California Education Code, and California Government Code 8314 are not under our jurisdiction. Therefore, after review of the complaint and information provided, the Enforcement Division will not pursue an enforcement action in this matter.”

Paso Robles Press reached out to Enney and current PRJUSD Trustee Dorian Baker, who was listed as a witness on the complaint, for a response to the dismissed complaint. Enney provided Paso Robles Press with the following response: Having consulted with legal counsel

The Paso Robles Chapter is a part of the International Optimist Club organization, which started in 1919. The club provides scholarships to high school seniors and supports all types of youth activities.

Paso Robles Optimist Club, a service organization dedicated to improving the lives of youth in the community, has been active since 1991. The club has supported numerous youth activities, including Boy Scouts, baseball teams, and scholarships for high school seniors through an annual essay contest.

To increase their involvement in the community, led us through some of the most trialing times that Paso Robles has ever seen. To full responsibility during a pandemic, during times of social injustice, during a climate in our community that he could have easily walked away from ... I think it is a bad message to send not to do this.” before submitting both the first complaint against SLO County Superintendent James Brescia, PRJUSD Superintendent Curt Dubost, and Cary Alvord Schof; and the second complaint against the PRJUSD, PRPE, and Bernadette Boddington, I am not surprised they were rejected. I was advised prior to submitting them that the FPPC was not likely to take action but that I would have to submit the complaints to them prior to pursuing criminal charges.

Trustees Baker and McCoy expressed frustrations with the COLA contract not being added as an attachment to the agenda for additional review. Trustee Nathan Williams combated their complaints, saying the contract and affiliated documents could have been requested. Dubost interjected, adding the documents, approved by the previous Board of Trustees, were not intentionally held.

“It’s not, in my opinion, a good look for a superintendent to have an automatic ‘me too’ with the bargaining units as it appears to be a conflict of interest,” said Dorian Baker of why she disagreed with the COLA increase for Dubost.

In the end, the COLA increase for Dubost was approved with a 3-2 vote, with Dorian and McCoy voting no. Trustee Joel Peterson was absent from the meeting.

The FPPC response to both complaints was that “it was not in their jurisdiction.” Follow-up communications with them confirmed that my complaints were criminal in nature and would need to be submitted to the local District Attorney. That has been done.

The citizens and taxpayers of Paso Robles deserve a full accounting from the County Office of Education and the PRJUSD as to why a PRJUSD district office employee, on taxpayer time, using taxpayer equipment, colluded with the County Superintendent of Schools, Jim Brescia, to draft a petition to remove a legally appointed trustee by coordinating with the PRPE (Jim Lynette) to collect the necessary signatures for my removal. Further accountability is needed as to to support Woods.

Sawyer says the Paso Robles Optimist Club is looking to add more volunteers.

“We do need more volunteers who share that passion to help youth in this world, and our club would love to have more people step up and assist us in that effort,” he said.

Anyone interested in participating in events sponsored by the club or wishing to know more about joining the club can contact Sawyer at (805) 591-9590 or Linda Stermer at (805) 238-2410. The club holds dinner meetings on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at 6:30 p.m. Locations vary.

“You name it; everyone got involved,” said Woods Interim CEO Emily L’Heureux. “So there was something for everybody to get out and about, enjoy this beautiful weather on the coast and support the animals at Woods.”

Atascadero News/Paso Robles Press stopped by a few wineries, and it was clear that people were out and about with their own pets on the Wine 4 Paws weekend.

Events and Hospitality Coordinator at Castoro Cellars Vineyards & Winery Estefi Barth said that the winery also hosted two special Wine 4 Paws events, including a pet-themed Paint and Sip, which they sold out for. All proceeds from that event went straight to Woods.

Steve Gleason, who owns Four Lanterns Winery with his wife Jackie, said they’ve been participating in Wine 4 Paws since they bought the winery nine years ago.

“It’s a nice event. It’s a lot of fun. People bring their dogs out. It’s a why the PRJUSD Superintendent, Curt Dubost, turned a blind eye to allowing the PRPE leadership (Bernadette Boddington) to actively campaign for my opponent using taxpayer funded equipment and resources. Lastly, why did the PRJUSD Superintendent turn a blind eye to the active campaigning on school grounds by my opponent?

There is evidence of many serious violations of district policies and state laws that have shaken the community’s confidence in the PRJUSD, and the citizens and taxpayers of North County deserve answers.

To many, it appears that a cabal of bureaucrats and government union members decided that they did not like the opinions of a representative of the people and set out to silence him. And they cost the taxpayers of Paso Robles $500,000.

In the end, they lost. Now we have to make sure that this abuse of power never happens again.

Paso Robles Press reached out to Boddington for a statement to which she provided the following:

I am very pleased to report that the complaint filed against me by Mrs. Dorian Baker and Mr. Kenny Enney

P.O. Box 427 Paso Robles, CA 93447 (805) 237-6060 • pasoroblespress.com publisher, editor-in-chief hayley mattson hayley@pasoroblespress.com assistant content editor camille devaul camille@pasoroblespress.com copy editor michael chaldu michael@pasoroblespress.com office administrator cami martin office@pasoroblespress.com good cause,” Steve Gleason said.

And there were even new wineries and businesses that joined in, including Riboli Family/San Antonio, MCV Wines, Alpha Omega Collective, Ella’s Vineyard, Hunt Cellars, and Tin City Cider.

“There were people everywhere and so many dogs. It was so fun,” said L’Heureaux of when she was out and about in Paso.

It’s not clear how much money was raised over the weekend, and it will take about a week before there is even a projected dollar amount, but Woods is hoping for record-breaking numbers to come in.

“It would be absolutely essential right now,” L’Heurezux added. “Here in California, our shelters are just overcrowded and under-served. We’re also battling a significant, nationwide Veterinarian shortage.”

All the proceeds will go directly to Woods’ lifesaving impact to save lives and find homes for animals in San Luis Obispo County and beyond. Every year, Woods places over 3,000 animals into loving homes. Plus, it’s the county’s only low-cost to the Fair Political Practices Commission was found to be baseless. With the election finally behind us, my hope, both personally and as the PRPE President is that we can move forward and concentrate on the business of Educating our students, which is the main purpose of the School District. Our educators and school employees are a dedicated group of professionals, completely committed to the goal of educating our children in a safe and supportive environment. We are members of this community, we attend church, concerts at the park, we vote, and most of us are proud parents of Paso Robles Public Schools students. We believe that every student deserves to be educated, that success is more than a grade, and we will continue to act with integrity and respect towards every member of this community, the community we belong. I encourage every community member to come visit our schools, meet our staff, celebrate our sports, arts and events. PRPE is looking forward to working together with the school board and the community to improve our children’s education. And, if you can read this letter, thank a teacher.

As for the rest of the ballot count, letters to cure voter signatures must spay and neuter clinic.

L’Heureaux went on to say that shelters are seeing a huge boom in kittens and puppies. Woods has already taken in more puppies since the start of 2023 than they did in all of 2022.

“A heartfelt thank you to our community. It takes a village,” she said. “Our wonderful event organizer [Tomasetti] for putting it together. All the different businesses for participating and for all the patrons that decided to come out in support of a good cause. We would never be able to accomplish all we did if we didn’t live in such a beautiful and generous, inside and out, community.” be received in the County Elections Office by 5 p.m. on Monday, May 1. There are approximately 94 letters still left to be returned. Voters can return their letters by: Mailing the signed statement in the enclosed envelope that was provided with the letter. ad consultant dana mcgraw dana@pasoroblespress.com layout designer neil schumaker neil@pasoroblespress.com layout designer evan rodda evan@pasoroblespress.com layout designer anthony atkins anthony.atkins@pasoroblespress.com ad design jen rodman graphics@pasoroblespress.com correspondent christianna marks christianna@pasoroblespress.com

• Email the signed statement to elections@co.slo.ca.us.

• Fax the signed statement to our office at (805) 781-1111.

Deliver the signed statement in person to the County Clerk–Recorder–Elections Office located at 1055 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo.

The final count will begin at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 3. At the conclusion of the count, the County Clerk-Recorder will then certify the results of the Special Election. According to Cano, for this election, there is a good chance that her office will certify much sooner than May 18 — the deadline to certify the election.

Paso Robles Press is following this election and will update as more information becomes available. More election updates can be found on slovote.com.