EL SEGUNDO HERALD December 12, 2019 Page 5
School Spotlight
Sports
Cross Country Teams Run to State
By Gregg McMullin
The El Segundo High School cross country’s
season came to an end at the California CIF
State Cross Country Championships. Both boys
and girls teams qualified, which is no easy feat.
In fact, less than two percent of the schools in
California will qualify for the state cross country
meet each year. Of those who qualify few can
get back in consecutive years, or send both
teams (boys and girls) to state. Less than one
percent of the high schools in California have
had consecutive appearances at the state meet.
Both girls and boys teams finished in the top
10 and set team time records. This makes them
the fastest teams at the state meet in school
history. No, there wasn’t a podium appearance
-- but nevertheless competing against the top
California high school cross country teams is
quite an accomplishment.
Last season, the girls team posted a third
place finish with what was then the fastest
school team time. This year, the plan was to
attack from the beginning and not let off the
gas pedal until the finish line. By the mile
marker, it was evident that the plan was going
to be executed well. They beat last year’s team
time by more than nine seconds from 98:00 to
97:51. This was the team’s fourth consecutive
trip to the State CIF XC Championships and
fourth consecutive top 10 finish. This year
they beat several perennial powerhouse teams,
including Foothill Technology, who has won
three of the last five state titles.
Senior Sophia Zago missed the school record
held by her teammate James Matlosz (set last
season) by a mere 0.6 seconds. Zago and James
Matlosz finished 1-2 for the Eagles for their
last XC race together as Eagles. Zago finished
18:46, while James Matlosz finished with a time
of 18:50. Together these two team captains had
an amazing senior season that helped mold the
upcoming talent into championship contenders
for years to come.
The Lady Eagles finished eighth at the CIF State XC finals with four scoring sophomores.
See Eagles, page 6
ESUSD
Nishime Takes School Board Reins
By Duane Plank
The El Segundo School Board held its annual
organizational meeting on Tuesday night, with
the group selecting Dr. Jeanie Nishime as its
new president, taking over for Nancy Cobb.
Tracey Miller-Zarnecke, who was elected to the
Board in 2018, was selected as vice president,
with Emilee Layne filling the clerk spot. Cobb
and Paulette Caudill round out the Board.
Prior to the meeting, Cobb emailed that she
wanted to thank the members and Superintendent
Dr. Melissa Moore, and pointed out how the
Board “runs very democratically.” She added
that she has “total confidence in Dr. Nishime”
as the Board tackles the 2019/20 school year.
Moore noted the accomplishments during
Cobb’s watch, including the assignment of
“initial projects to begin construction on phase
one of the facilities master plan.”
Following a brief reception that allowed for
the rearrangement of chairs on the dais, he
Board got to work, approving the slate of 2020
meeting dates, assigning members to various
ad hoc committees, and approving the identification
of multiple management positions.
Next on the agenda were special presentations,
with Ella Tichy, the student representative to
the Board, reporting out first, followed by El
Segundo Education Foundation Chief Executive
Officer Carol Pirsztuk sharing the fact that the
recent Ed! Ladies Night Out shindig was able
to raise nearly $50,000.
Moore then took center stage, presenting her
final recommendations regarding the District’s
Goals for the Future, 2020-2024. She said she was
“excited” to present her final recommendations,
which took place after “a few months of public
engagement.” Moore said that there have been
“small refinements” and added, “I think we
came out with a better document, overall.”
Moore touched upon five district-wide goals:
(1) To ensure high-quality learning to increase
student achievement and develop well-rounded
students who are prepared for college and career.
(2) To promote the social and emotional
well-being of all students and foster a positive
learning environment and culture for all. (3) To
recruit and retain high-quality employees and
further build the capacity of personnel. (4) To
promote parental and community engagement.
(5) To maintain fiscal health and address longterm
infrastructure and facility needs.
Executive Director of Human Resources Dr.
Dylan Farris detailed the El Segundo Unified
School District’s (ESUSD) first interim budget
report for the fiscal 2019/20 year. After the
Board approves the report, it is submitted to
the Los Angeles County of Education no later
than Dec.15. Two such reports are mandated
each fiscal year.
There are three possible certifications to
select from, with the ESUSD to file a positive
certification. This means the District is confident
that it will be able to meet all financial obligations
in the current and next two fiscal years.
Post-presentations, the Board tackled consent
agenda items. Among the items approved Tuesday
evening: an agreement with School Shine,
a video production company; a contract with
Palmer Hamilton, LLC to provide designs for
renovating the cafeteria seating and décor for
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Lady Eagles Finish
Record-Setting Year
Message:
See ESUSD, page 6
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