Page 4 December 20, 2018 EL SEGUNDO HERALD
School Spotlight
Wiseburn School Board Welcomes
Back Three of A Priceless Encounter with the Its Veteran Members
Future President in El Segundo
By Gregg McMullin
A once-in-a-lifetime chance encounter was
remembered by former El Segundo High
School baseball coach Craig Cousins with the
recent passing of our 41st president, George
H.W. Bush. Cousins had the opportunity to
share about an hour or so with the future
president at the El Segundo High track and
baseball cages.
The year leading up to Ronald Reagan
being elected as president was hectic. Reagan’s
main opponent during the primaries
was George H.W. Bush. Bush would play
an important role in Reagan getting elected.
After it was clear Reagan would be his party’s
nominee, he started the process of selecting
a running mate. Initially, Reagan thought
former President Gerald Ford would be a
nice fit. When that became unfavorable to
party members, Reagan started interviewing
potential candidates.
George H.W. Bush was the Texas exgovernor
and current head of the CIA
who had aspirations of being president.
When it was clear Reagan would win the
candidacy, Bush let it be known that he
would be the perfect running mate. Bush
flew to Los Angeles to meet with Reagan
at the latter’s office.
Bush, a former standout baseball player in
college, was the captain of his 1947-48 Yale
By Duane Plank
In many school districts across the state,
the first, and for some, only board meeting
in December that follows an early November
election date will include the swearing in of
newly elected members, as well as a shuffling
of duties. Not so this time around in the
Wiseburn Unified School District (WUSD).
The School Board returns intact as it head
towards 2019. Three Board slots were up for
grabs in the recent Nov. 6 election, but current
members Roger Banuelos, Israel Mora
and Nelson Martinez ran unopposed on the
ballot, so all returned for another term.
JoAnne Kaneda returns as the president for
another year, with Banuelos continuing as the
vice president/clerk. The Board also selected
members to fill slots for the upcoming year
on multiple committees on which the District
serves. There were no special presentations
on the evening’s agenda, which Superintendent
Dr. Blake Silvers said is standard for
the District’s December meeting.
Members of the public approached the Board
at the beginning of the 80-minute meeting,
with topics including the successful synergy
achieved between the District K-8 campuses
and Da Vinci; the concern of some parents
regarding a perceived safety issue, specifically
at Anza Elementary; and the wish to
improve communication between the District
and parents regarding agendas at upcoming
PTA meetings.
Siobhan Scott, representing the group
Wiseburn Watch, voiced her group’s concerns
about traffic safety issues that she said are
currently taking place surrounding District
schools. Ms. Scott cited multiple vehicle
accidents that have occurred during drop-off
and pick-up times. She said she will “form
a committee in January” of community
members to “make sure we get a light” at
the intersection of Utah and Douglas streets.
“We are not going to wait for our kids to be
killed,” she said.
In member reports, Neil Goldman, a participant
at the recent California School Board
Association conference in San Francisco,
which he termed “very productive,” touted
new state-of-the art practices unpacked at
the conference. He mentioned best practices
that were articulated, including dealing with
funding issues that are paramount for districts
to continue to achieve financial solvency.
Mora encouraged all to attend tonight’s
(Dec. 20) District open house for the pool
and gym site on the Douglas property, and
highly recommended that interested folks avail
themselves of touring the Da Vinci facilities.
Banuelos echoed earlier member comments,
adding that “our students are getting one of
the best educations in the country.” Kaneda
then noted it was a “time to pause and look
back, but also time to look forward.” She said
that a lot of the same people are here, maybe
in different roles,” but added that “we make
each other better, together. I applaud all of
you, thanks for a wonderful set of years.”
Next to report was Chief Business
Official Dave Wilson, who noted a recent
article published by the Daily Breeze that
spoke of alleged financial woes that are or
will be plaguing California school districts,
Sports
This is the golf ball that George Brett got from President Bush
for Craig Cousins.
The President remembered the day with Cousins and said the ball
was a way of thanking him.
ESUSD SEEKS
MEASURE ES BOND OVERSIGHT
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The El Segundo Unified School District (ESUSD) is seeking
residents to oversee the spending of Measure ES, the $92 million
in school bonds approved by the voters on November 6, 2018.
Community members who live within the boundaries of
ESUSD are eligible to apply for membership on the
Measure ES Citizen Bond Oversight Committee.
If you or someone you know is interested in participating
on this committee, please download and complete the
application found at https://tinyurl.com/esoversight.
All applications must be received by 4:30 PM on
Friday, January 11, 2019. Submittal instructions
can be found on the application form.
For additional information on the bonds and the oversight
committee, please visit www.elsegundousd.net. Thank you.
Coach Woodie shows kids how to play lacrosse in under 15 min.
(Native American style) - easier than what the world teaches
SEARCH YouTube: “Coach Woodie teaches how to catch & throw”
See Sports, page 10
See Wiseburn, page 11