Page 8 March 24, 2016 EL SEGUNDO HERALD School Spotlight from page 4 take over. However, the experienced principal stepped down from the position just a month after having accepted the offer. Father Robert then interviewed and hired Kawjaree without following archdiocesan protocol. In one of several open letters to Bishop Oscar Solis and other leaders of the Los Angeles Archdiocese, Grant informed them of Father Robert bypassing the School Counsel for peer review in hiring a new principal. “In only three months, they together [Kawjaree and Father Robert] dismantled the School Counsel and PTO intent on replacing those memberships with his personal hand-picked selections,” Grant wrote. “Furthermore, several admin and staff expressed personal concerns of being singled out (bullied and diminished) for job termination and/or replacement.” Concerns among staff and administration being dismissed became a reality when Principal Kawjaree began firing teachers, including a second-grade teacher who was let go during her honeymoon for “not being Catholic.” Two parents also confirm that Principal Kawjaree was responsible for dismantling of the Parent Teacher Organization [PTO] and terminating a fourth grade teacher because she had never been through confirmation, along with a first grade teacher. “We started making phones calls and had an impromptu meeting at El Segundo Park and the parents showed up in a heartbeat,” former Saint Anthony parent and PTO President Yvonne Schroeder said. “Everybody agreed to send emails and call the archdiocese and by the next day the two teachers were rehired.” Principal Kawjaree declined to comment and asked that all questions regarding the issues at Saint Anthony be directed to the Archdiocese’s communications department. While no representative of the Archdiocese answered any questions regarding the issues at Saint Anthony, the communications department did email a statement asserting that: “the Archdiocese received a letter dated January 30 from Mr. Edward Grant, who is a parent at St. Anthony School in El Segundo. Catholic elementary schools are ministries of the parish and, as such, they are under the guidance and leadership of the pastor. The Archdiocese can confirm that all financial activities at the school are conducted according to standards of probity and responsibility, and we are proud of the fact that Catholic Schools continually work to ensure the best interests of students and the school community.” However, as Principal Kawjaree became settled into her position it became common for parents to have complaints and concerns go unanswered. Since her arrival families have left Saint Anthony for other private or public schools, dropping enrollment from 207 students at the end of the last school year to 160 at the beginning of 2016. The drastic drop in enrollment coincides with the elimination of courses such as Computer, Art and Spanish from the curriculum. Even a school-wide subscription to an online math-tutoring program was suddenly canceled. One parent, who asked to remain anonymous, shared that with the initial exodus of students from Saint Anthony’s some parents were met with rejections from surrounding Catholic schools under the orders of the Archdiocese that none of the students from Saint Anthony be accepted, in an effort for the school administrators and parents to be forced to resolve their differences. In addition, the same parent was told that American Martyrs was directed not to accept any applying teachers from St. Anthony’s. All this was happening two weeks prior to the beginning of the fall semester. After a well-coordinated effort by parents, a meeting between themselves, Archbishop Solis, Father Robert, Principal Kawjaree and other Archdiocese leaders took place. The meeting was launched with Archdiocese’s officials announcement that the decision not to remove or reprimand the current administration at Saint Anthony had been made and would stand; all this before the group of parents aired any of their concerns. Still, for the parents like Grant, Schimon and Schroeder, who used to be the PTO President, the financial situation at Saint Anthony’s has deteriorated since Principal Kawjaree joined Saint Anthony. From revoking scholarships for students who have earned them [due to a lack of funds], to canceling awarding scholarships in the future, to the dwindling of the school’s investment account, these financial concerns have been addressed by Grant in letters to the Archdiocese, which continue to assure parents that all is well. “In light of falling enrollment and our new school management’s unsustainable business model, as predicted, it has finally happened - on January 20, 2016 there was a withdraw from the investment account in the amount of $150,000,” states Grant’s letter to Bishop Solis and the Archdiocese dated Jan. 30. “The purpose for such a sizable withdraw, families have no idea. What took eight years for our school community to build has after only five months of Fr. Robert’s and Principal Kawjaree’s management finally been tapped and reduced by nearly half.” Parents confirmed that two of nine teachers have resigned, as well as the administrative assistant who had been a part of the school for 18 years and who was beloved by the school community. With the PTO and School Counsel populated by persons handpicked by Father Robert, there is dwindling trust in the transparency of the daily and financial operations at the campus. Many current Saint Anthony families do not have plans to return for the next academic year. Families who have already left, like the Schroeders, believe the administration lacks the efficiency and transparency that existed during the years when Curcio was at the helms. “I did everything for that school and it was because I was proud of it,” Schroeder said. “Our secretary and our principal were golden, as was the rest of the staff. They were family and all of a sudden this person comes in in September and she dismantles it all.” • 2016 EL SEGUNDO ELECTIONS Residents and Business Owners Aaron Castillo from front page Aaron Castillo. Letters from page 3 issues and don’t just vote out incumbents. – Jeff and Beth Schodorf Looking for More Money I was thinking that it would b a good idea to vote for measure B. After all, free money for the city is what we are told. Then I received a wonderful colored pamphlet from the Firefighters and Police PACs telling me to vote for B. It occurred to me that these overpaid city employees are looking for more money out of this measure for themselves. It’s not just the ridiculous salaries and benefits the they receive that concerns me. It is the unfunded pension and medical liability of anywhere from 106 to 126 million dollars that the city now has accumulated. Every dollar increase that the Police and Fire receive in salary, from the city, adds to that overwhelming burden. Therefore, I do not think it would be wise to vote for Measure B. – Art Laval Making a Difference One House at a Time Don Brann just stopped by my house and ask me if I had any concerns. He may wish he hadn’t asked me that question. I had several issues and concerns and even though some of them were concerns with his positions he was gracious and talked with me for about 20 minutes. He was considerate and respectful and hopefully he felt the same about our interaction. His responses changed some of my concerns to positives in his favor. Thank you Don for speaking with me and taking the time to listen to my concerns as a resident in El Segundo. It was much appreciated and we may not agree on all issues but you may now have a supporter for your city council bid. – Michelle Lawson Doesn’t Like Humongous Houses How pleased I was to read Mr. Fisher’s letter to your editor. I have been wondering for years if there were any rules at all in this city regarding the appearance of these humongous houses going up. Not only are they way too big for their lots but many are seriously ugly. They stick out like sore thumbs in this city. To claim we need more spec houses is outrageous or that we should not have any control over the appearance of new houses being built leaves me nearly speechless. Councilwoman Fellhauer certainly just lost my vote. Please read Drew Boyles’ statement, which promises to protect El Segundo’s small town charm. Now that is something a 50-year resident can get behind. – Marlene Henneberg Really! When Brann was on the city council he wanted to outsource our police and fire to Los Angeles County, is this why police and fire are supporting him? This would have cost residents a lot more money, if we called paramedics. When Brann was on the City Council, the Mayor voted against him, she also didn’t want him on committees with her. Don Brann was the Superintendent of the Wiseburn School District for years. Now, Wiseburn High School is in our town, this must be his reason to run for council again. Why are police and fire involved in our election? They don’t live here, are they trying to increase their salaries? Voting is for the residents of El Segundo, and for us to decide on our candidates, in our town! The Mayor’s endorsing Brann is unfair to the other candidates. It stated “From the desk of El Segundo Mayor”. – Loretta Frye A Heartwarming Story My name is Joseph Nana. This is a heartwarming story that I hope you will publish. On Sunday, March 20, I was doing a wash load at the laundermat that shares the parking lot with your newspaper. When I walked outside, I heard the cries of a young kitten. It was coming from the hood of a blue truck owned by La Paz Mexican Restaurant. I asked the La Paz people to open the hood and, just as I thought, there was a small kitten nestled up by the windshield area. It quickly ran down and away to the dumpsters by the liquor store. The tiny cat, of black and white, then ran around the back alley, behind the stores crying all the time. I last left off with a family trying to catch it, on the block behind the stores, and hopefully the baby cat has found a new home and safety. – Joseph Nania Friday City Hall Closure Our City has previously received awards for being “Business Friendly.” It would see our reputation would be even stronger if we would open City Hall for Business on Fridays....why don’t we? – Richard J. Switz • watchdog, he has undoubtedly squelched a number of potential crimes over the last 18 years thanks to his vigilance. Though he still loves his job, Castillo explained that it is finally time for him to retire while he can still walk out on his own two feet. “I have had two surgeries, a right hip replacement, right shoulder, nerve damage…” he noted. His future plans are to volunteer at homeless shelters, bike, fish and golf. “And I will be a house husband and make it nice for my wife to come home to,” he added. Castillo and his wife Elisa will celebrate their 27th wedding anniversary next week. The couple raised two children—Evan, 25, and Erika, 21. Fuentes acknowledged that she will miss seeing Castillo behind the wheel of his familiar brown truck and in his uniform, but knows it won’t be the last she hears from her long-time friend. She is also one of many on a lengthy list. “He is on Facebook and it seems like half of El Segundo is his friend,” she said. “He is a really good guy and my mom loved him.” Castillo added, “I have loved working in El Segundo and will still visit the families that I have become close to that I can also call family. I have had my life touched by many over the years and have tried to touch as many back as possible. In life, we never know what we are up against and we never know when our time is up. So, make the best of everything every day...” • Follow Us on Twitter @heraldpub
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