Latinos Want Their Voice Heard In Superintendent Search

Several residents said Wednesday that the Latino community has been left out of the search process for a South San Francisco Unified School District superintendent.

During the public comment period at the school board meeting, speakers said they didn’t know about the on April 7.

Several of those who attended held bright signs stating: “Invite us to tell you what we want in a new Superintendent.”

District officials said all school principals were notified, along with community groups including Latino organizations.

“The message was out,” said Board President Maurice Goodman.

At Goodman's suggestion, the board voted to open up a time slot for residents to give comments to the search firm at the district office next week.

Here’s a roundup of other items from Wednesday’s board meeting:

• Jonathan Barth, assistant superintendent of business services, said the district can still stand behind its . Property taxes are expected to rise by 1 percent, and the district will receive $2 million from a legal settlement with Genentech, Barth said. More detailed budget information will be presented next meeting after the governor releases the May revise, he said.

• The South San Francisco Federation of Adult Educators AFT Local 6179 opened negotiations with the district for a contract to cover the next two school years. The union requested a process for avoiding shortening of classes, restoration of class hours, paid time for class preparation, and salary increases to bring educators up to par with other district schools.

• The board said farewell and expressed gratitude for the service of Beth Orofino, principal of Westborough Middle School, who is retiring.

• The board approved an advanced placement language and composition class for district high schools. The 11th grade course will focus on non-fiction reading and writing.

• The board approved the purchase of the five currently-leased portable classrooms at Spruce Elementary School for $5 from the state. The Office of Public School Construction is closing out the lease program and offering districts the opportunity to buy the portables for $1 a piece. “I’d like to put it out there that I’d like to donate what it costs for these five portables,” Goodman said jokingly.