Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/59419
FRIDAY MARCH 23, 2012 Breaking news at: Local Man to Entertain at Round-Up www.redbluffdailynews.com See Page 7A Weather forecast 10A Mostly sunny 60/42 By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer The Red Bluff Joint Union High School District has offered a contract to Seattle- area principal Lisa Escobar to fill the position of District Superintendent. DAILYNEWS RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY DAILY 50¢ T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 RBJUHSD approves contract for superintendent Escobar, who would start July 1, would replace interim Superintendent Jack Hansen, who has been serving in the role since July 1, 2011. "The board started a search late last year and decided the pool of applicants was small so it decided to go with an interim for a year," Hansen said. The board began advertising the position in November and received 10 applications, and five candidates were inter- viewed by the board, he said. The contract with Escobar was approved at the March 14 meet- ing. Close call Courtesy photo Board, educators mull lunch time campus closure By AARON VASEY DN Correspondent In late 2011, the teachers at Red Bluff Union High School were called to a meeting to discuss the idea of a closed campus during lunch break. By the end of the meeting, the list of pros and cons stretched about the same length, making it apparent this would not be an easy decision for the administration. The idea of a closed campus has only recently been achievable, as enrollment has decreased into the low 1,400s and is projected to go down for the next few years, mak- ing it possible to keep all the stu- dents on campus during lunch. If instituted, the campus closure would impact only future students of the high school, starting with freshmen. The decision is bound to affect more than just students, but the community. Certain businesses rely on high school students for revenue and would be negatively impacted if the campus was closed. Though closing the campus might hurt local businesses, it GOP decries Legislature passing 'shell' bills SACRAMENTO (AP) — Republican state law- makers stood in united but futile opposition Thursday to the practice of approving empty bills that contain no real legislation but will be amended later to include budget legislation. Democrats, who control both houses, each approved several so-called ''shell'' bills — the Senate 40 of them, and the Assembly 38. The bills contain no actual budget details but will be amended later to include specific language needed to enact the budget for the fis- cal year that begins July 1. Passing the bills now makes it quicker and easier to approve a state spending plan before the constitution- al deadline in June. Repub- licans in both chambers lined up to oppose the prac- tice, which senators said dates to 2004. The Assem- bly said the practice goes back even longer, at least to 1993. Sen. Doug LaMalfa, R- Willows, said the blank bills let Democrats pass the final series of budget ''in the dark of night,'' giving lawmakers little if any time to review the legislation. He decried the irony of the Legislature passing a proclamation supporting Sunshine Week, which sup- ports making government records and proceedings more readily available to the public, at the same time it approves ''40 blank pieces of paper.'' Assemblyman Bob Blu- menfield, who chairs the Assembly budget commit- tee, said the procedure is efficient and does not pre- vent lawmakers from weighing in on budget bills when they are taken up later. The Democrat from Sher- man Oaks dismissed con- cerns over what he charac- terized as a minor procedur- al matter. The debate came the same week that the Center for Public Integrity released a study giving California a C- for transparency in its budget process. ''I'm concerned that my constituents will not have a chance to weigh in once we 7 5 8 5 5 1 6 9 0 0 1 9 See GOP, page 9A would benefit a majority of the community. The school receives many complaints about how stu- dents behave off campus, including complaints of a student barking at babies. Some students try to drive to Anderson and back during the 35 minutes designated for lunch. "Right now I am open to the idea of closing campus but I want to make sure that if that is the route we take, that as many people as possi- ble are looked at and considered," Principal Patrick Gleason said. Corey Hein, a history teacher, said the campus ought to close, but believes it is not a black and white See CLOSE, page 9A "The board feels Lisa will be an excellent match and work well with the administration and staff at the high school," Hansen said. At one point, the board con- sidered a blended position of superintendent-principal, but decided not to go that route. "After consideration, the board felt strongly that a district of our size needed a full-time superintendent and a full-time principal," Hansen said in a memo sent out to Red Bluff High School staff members. See CONTRACT, page 9A Fairboard rejects union raises By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer In a surprising move, the Tehama District Fairboard sent a message to the union Tuesday by voting against approval of a mandatory raise for Bargaining Unit 12, the fairground's maintenance workers. Fair CEO Mark Eidman announced at the Feb. 21 meeting the fairground was told the unit has a 5 percent pay increase coming to its members as a part of the contract with the union. In addition to the two maintenance personnel at the fairground, the unit includes maintenance workers from Caltrans and the Department of Corrections, Eidman said. See RAISES, page 9A Fundraiser goes to the dogs Relay For Life of Red Bluff's annual Bark For Life will kick off at 10 a.m. Sat- urday at Dog Island Park on North Main Street. The event will go rain or shine to support the larger Relay For Life fundraiser with support by four-legged friends padding around the park. Registration fee is $10 per dog and $15 per dog to include a bandanna. Leash- es are required. The American Cancer Society's Bark For Life relay is an opportunity for people and their canine pets to walk around a designated trail as they honor or remember those humans and canines whose lives have been touched by can- cer. There will be a number of different fundraisers at the event including a hot After renting the build- ing for the past decade, the long-standing, com- munity-based, non-profit State Theatre For The Arts has entered into an agreement with private ownership to purchase the Historic State Theatre located prominently in downtown Red Bluff. The decision was made by the 2011 State Theatre For The Arts board of directors after a year-long process during which some 50 community stakeholders participated in a comprehensive strate- gic planning process, which resulted in the implementation of a Fea- sibility Study and subse- quent development of a Business Plan and Capital Campaign designed to support the acquisition, restoration and operation of the community resource. The purchase price of the theater was deter- mined by a professional commercial property appraisal, plus a roughly 50 percent share of sever- al significant recent improvements made by private ownership. The State Theatre Cap- ital Campaign is off to an dog lunch, various bake sales and raffles. Different activities and contests for the dogs will be involved as well. This year, the walk is dedicated in memory of Greg Gormley a friend of the community and their canine companions, and sponsored by the Tehama County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Venturing Crew 905. "We are expecting to have a large turn out this year and encourage all dogs, large and small to lead their human friends to the park for a day full of fun as we take a bite out of cancer," said Twila Cordova, event co-chair- woman. For more information, contact Cordova at 354- 4565, or send an email to hope.n.paradise@me.com. Theater board reaches agreement for venue Spartans Steal Win SPORTS 1B Courtesy photo The State Theatre For The Arts board of directors listens to a demonstra- tion by technical advisor Derik Madrid of new sound equipment purchased with a grant from the McConnell Fund. impressive start. The acquisition fund has already received numer- ous, significant pledges from individuals and organizations, including a generous kick off dona- tion of $35,000 from a long-standing family in the community. Because of planning work already completed, See VENUE, page 9A TEHAMA COUNTY GLASS MOULE'S Warehouse Sale April 6th & 7th 515 Sycamore St. Wood Windows, Windows, Doors, Household items & Truck Tool Boxes too much to list!!! BASIC COMPUTER SKILLS CLASS Thursday, March 29TH 9:30 am – Noon Job Training Center 718 Main St., Red Bluff $49.00 per person Call 529-7000