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UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Dozens of parents, teachers and students were on hand Tuesday to speak to the Upper Lake Unified School District Board in support of hiring the longtime high school superintendent and principal to head the new district.
An almost unanimous group spoke to the board for close to 45 minutes Tuesday afternoon before it adjourned into closed session to discuss hiring a superintendent, chief business officer and secretarial support.
About an hour later, the board emerged to announce that it would begin negotiating with Upper Lake High Principal/Superintendent Patrick Iaccino to be the new district's interim superintendent.
The majority of those who spoke preferred having Iaccino come on and lead the district through the next stages in its formation – at no additional cost – rather than hiring retired Lake County Superintendent of Schools Wally Holbrook at a cost of $100 per hour for 250 hours in an initial contract that could be extended.
However, after announcing it would begin negotiations with Iaccino, the board followed up by voting unanimously to hire Holbrook and his consulting firm, a move which board members said was meant to help get them up to speed.
About 40 people crowded into the Upper Lake High School Library for the meeting, a sharp contrast to the new district board's first two sparsely attended meetings last month, held just before the holidays.
Support for Iaccino was the common thread running throughout most of the statements made to the board ahead of the closed session.
Iaccino, who for more than a decade has been the superintendent and principal of the Upper Lake High School District, was one of the major forces behind unifying his district with the Upper Lake Union Elementary School District.
Faculty, parents, staff and students spoke in support of Iaccino, lauding him for true dedication to what's best for students, a heartfelt involvement in school activities and tireless efforts to improve educational opportunities.
Upper Lake High site counselor Mary Ann Mathews said she's personally witnessed Iaccino's dedication of time and knowledge to the district, and his passion for the Upper Lake community.
“Why are we willing to pay for outside leadership when we have a qualified candidate here, available to us?” Mathews asked.
Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg, who selected the new district's board and has sat in a leadership role at the board's meetings so far, said he didn't believe that the board had made a decision about leadership at that point.
Mathews replied that she believed Iaccino was worthy of the job. “He's a man that has worked alongside us,” not just led from above, she said to applause.
Sara Sanchez, a parent of four children in Upper Lake schools who has followed the unification process closely and commented at meetings throughout, said she had issues with the decision being made so quickly without much information being put out to parents or the community.
“We're the ones who have to live with these decisions,” Sanchez said, adding that the consequences of the decision will fall on the district's children.
Sanchez questioned the board's willingness to consider paying Holbrook $100 an hour when Iaccino is willing to do the work for no extra money.
Iaccino, she said, knows the Northshore, and gets along with 90 percent of the people, no small feat for an administrator, “especially in Upper Lake,” she added.
Rich Swaney a member of the current high school board and a unification supporter, told the board, “We wouldn't even be having this conversation if it wasn't for Pat Iaccino. Swaney added, “He's worked hard to make it happen.”
Swaney cited Iaccino's 35 years of experience, his creation of the school farm and establishment of The Hub, and work to get lights on the football field. He questioned bringing in someone else to do the job at a cost of $25,000 for four or five months' worth of work, which he called “bad math.”
Gary Madison, a teacher with 22 years in the Upper Lake High School District and the president of the Upper Lake Teachers Association, spoke to the board for himself and not on the union's behalf.
An emotional Madison – his voice cracking – told the board that under Iaccino's leadership, “I've never seen morale as high as it is,” with staff also at its peak performance.
The teachers aren't having to worry about discipline or leadership, and can instead focus on teaching. He said it was rough to think that the situation might change if the board were to select another person to lead the district.
Ultimately, Madison told the board that the teachers would respect its decision.
Gretchen Ferguson, a mother of three and a staffer at the high school for 17 years, said she's been through three superintendents in that time. “I've never seen a more dedicated, more amazing man than Pat,” she said.
She added that he has been there for the children, and she felt it would be wrong not to have him oversee the new district.
Angie Arroyo, an Upper Lake High alumna, parent of a graduate and vice chair of the Habematolel Pomo tribe, said she has been an avid supporter of unification.
The tribe, she noted, has been a strong supporter of all the local schools. “We have every intention of continuing to do that.”
Arroyo urged the board to consider the financial impacts of going with a consultant, and questioned if the scope of work or goals for a consultant had been defined.
She said it was honoring to see all of the people in the room come together to express interest in what was happening. Arroyo said that kind of interest and input had been lacking for a long time.
High School student Wroehnyn Milks, speaking on behalf of the Associated Students, said the student government organization believed it was in the best interest of the student population to appoint Iaccino as the new district's superintendent. He credited Iaccino with giving students not just educational but life options.
Jaliece Simons, parent of a 2014 Upper Lake High graduate who has continued to stay involved in the boosters club, said she's never seen a superintendent or principal as involved with students as Iaccino, who she said had been key in her daughter becoming a successful graduate.
“He cares. He truly cares,” said Simons.
She urged the board to have Iaccino as the new district's superintendent. “Because what he does he does with his heart.”
Teacher Anna Sabalone read a message from 2015 Upper Lake High graduate Arthur Wilkie, a standout student now attending the University of California, Santa Barbara and studying political science.
Wilkie wrote that hiring Iaccino as the new district's superintendent is a “no brainer,” citing his many accomplishments – including introducing solar panels to the school to reduce utility costs and establishing a successful Upward Bound program.
“Clearly Iaccino is the best choice for the district,” Wilkie said in his message.
Upper Lake High teacher Becky Toback also voiced strong support for Iaccino. “Mr. Iaccino cares about kids, and not just high school kids, but all kids, and he cares about education.”
Toback said Iaccino knew that bringing forward the unification process could result in his own unemployment. “He was willing to do the right thing even though it put him in a situation that maybe wouldn't be the most desirable. I think that says so much about the man's character.”
She said Iaccino knows the community, has a deep love of children and is committed to education, as well as being honest and trustworthy.
Falkenberg told the group he was glad to get the input, which hadn't happened previously.
Board member Keith Austin said that the board is trying to learn to work together and come up with a plan for five to 10 years down the road. He said they were not sure Iaccino would be here at that point – with his retirement close in time – and they wanted a facilitator.
He said the board feels the weight of the responsibility of representing the community. “If we weren't seeking outside help, you should wonder why.”
Just before 5 p.m. the board adjourned into closed session, returning just after 6 p.m.
Upon reconvening in open session, Board President Mel O'Meara announced that the board decided to enter into discussion with Iaccino for a memorandum of understanding to have him act as the new district's superintendent.
Senior class member Zachary Sneathen thanked the board for its action, and credited Iaccino for his great experience at the high school. “All the things I have done at the school I would not have been able to do at another school.”
Madison also thanked the board for taking the action.
Separately, the board voted unanimously to approve the contract with Holbrook, who board members said would be a neutral party and help guide and educate them as they move forward with formalizing the new district's creation by July.
The contract calls for Holbrook's consulting firm, Education Leadership Solutions, to be paid $100, not to exceed 250 or a total contract amount of $25,000, from Jan. 12 to June 30. The contract may be extended by mutual agreement.
“We view this as training for us,” said Austin.
He said Holbrook offers expertise that they want to tap into “at an extremely reasonable rate.”
Becky Jeffries, the elementary school district's chief business official, suggested that the board could clarify the different job duties of Holbrook and Iaccino in order to address the confusion.
Falkenberg said there has been a great deal of confusion about what actions were being taken because of the Brown Act requirements to keep closed session discussions confidential, and that he had anticipated that confusion.
He said things will become more transparent moving forward, adding that the board is asking Holbrook's firm in help with long-term planning.
In other business Tuesday, the board approved a 120-hour retainer agreement with Santa Rosa-based School and College Legal Services. The retainer agreement is calculated at $215 per hour, for a total of $25,800.
Also approved was a contract for services with the California School Boards Association and Lake County Office of Education staffer April Leiferman gave the board an update on the change from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Looking for a pal around the ranch or the house?
This pretty female cattle dog mix, estimated to be about 4 years old, has been waiting for a home this past month at Lake County Animal Care and Control.
Shelter staff said she has great manners, and is good with other dogs – males and females – and cats.
She is a smart dog, and knows commands including sit and down. Staff said she is very food motivated and willing to learn.
“She will melt your heart in minutes,” shelter staff said.
She has a black and white coat with a long tail and floppy ears, and one brown eye and one blue eye. Her weight is estimated at 57 pounds.
She's in kennel No. 10, ID No. 4152.
To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lake County Library has a new service called “Zip Books” to get requested books to patrons faster than through traditional interlibrary loan.
In Zip Books, some interlibrary loan requests will be filled with books ordered from Amazon and sent to the patron’s home, at no charge to the patron.
The patron reads the book, and then returns the book to the library.
Library patrons request items through the online interlibrary loan form on the library website. Patrons can choose to opt out of Zip Books when they place their requests.
Library staff will determine if a Zip Book is the best way to fill a request.
Zip Books arrive in a few days, but a traditional interlibrary loan can take several weeks to arrive. Each patron can have one Zip Book at a time and may have a maximum of five Zip Books per month.
Zip Books can supply regular books, large type books and books on CD.
If a Zip Book is ordered, library staff will notify the patron to expect a package from Amazon in a few days.
Zip Books are shipped to the patron’s home, and then the patron returns the book and any Amazon paperwork to a library employee.
In most cases the book will then be added to the library collection and be available for others to check out.
Library Director Christopher Veach is excited about the new program. “Zip Books is a wonderful way to get community input into what should be in our library collection,” Veach said.
Zip Books is funded by the California State Library and managed by the Califa Group, a nonprofit consortium representing more than 220 libraries, most of them in California.
Lake County has received a $9,000 grant to operate a Zip Books program in Lake County.
About 30 libraries in rural California currently participate in Zip Books.
To learn more about Zip Books call the library at 707-263-8817.
The Lake County Library is on the Internet at http://library.lakecountyca.gov and Facebook at www.facebook.com/LakeCountyLibrary .
Jan Cook works for the Lake County Library.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Poetry Out Loud Lake County Competition takes place at the Soper Reese Theatre on Sunday, Jan. 24.
The event begins at 1 p.m.
Competing will be members from the Clear Lake High School drama department, coached by Eugenie Steinman; and from Middletown High School, coached by Michele Krueger.
Winners at this event will go on to compete at the state level.
The public is invited to attend; entry is free of charge.
The event is supported and promoted by the Lake County Arts Council.
Poetry Out Loud is national program intended to help students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, learn about their literary heritage and compete for college scholarship funding.
Millions of high school students participate across the country with California as one of the largest.
Students begin with poetry recitations at the classroom level. Classroom winners advance to a school-wide competition and each school’s champion competes at the county level.
Winners of the Jan. 24 Lake County competition advance to the state finals in Sacramento on Feb. 28 and 29.
The State Finals competition is usually held in the historic Senate and is webcast and televised via the California Channel.
The county champions are honored with a dinner reception and each receives a certificate of recognition from their legislative representative.
The National Finals will be held in Washington D.C., May 2 to 4.
Check out www.poetryoutloud.org for more information.
Powerball ticket sales across California and the nation have helped push the jackpot to an astronomical $1.5 billion for Wednesday night’s drawing in Tallahassee, Fla., California Lottery officials reported Tuesday.
The winner will have the option of taking a lump sum amount of $930 million, or receiving the entire $1.5 billion in 30 annual installments.
The payments range from $22.6 million up front, to a staggering $93 million in final year No. 30.
Historically, most people who win large jackpots take the lump sum; however, these huge annual payments could change some minds.
If a California Lottery retailer should sell the winning ticket that business would win big as well. It would receive a $1 million retailer bonus check.
Since the retailer bonus is from a separate fund, retailers do not have to wait for the winner to come forward to get paid. And the national publicity the winning retailer would receive as a lucky spot for lottery products is priceless.
As for taxes, the IRS requires the California Lottery to withhold 25 percent in federal taxes on the $1.5 billion. The winner would be required to pay any additional federal taxes owed on the win, based on their tax bracket.
Officials recommend winners advice from a tax professional and get started by reading the Winner’s Handbook, which “explains everything you need to know if you win a large jackpot.” Winners are not required to pay California state tax.
Powerball sales continue to be off the charts. California continues to lead the country in sales.
On Tuesday, sales started off even better than Monday. During the 11 a.m. hour, sales were $7.621 million compared to the same time on Monday morning ($4.646 million).
Since the last time the Powerball jackpot rolled on Nov. 7, 2015, California Lottery players have purchased more than $251.2 million (and counting) in Powerball tickets.
To put that figure into perspective, California sold $372 million in Powerball tickets for the entire 2014-15 fiscal year.
Remember, as this jackpot soars to historic heights, the California Lottery would like to remind players that gambling should be fun.
Borrowing money to play, spending above a person’s budget or using money intended for other purposes can ultimately lead to significant problems for players and their families.
If a player recognizes that they have a gambling problem or if someone knows of someone who may have a problem, the Lottery recommends calling the Problem Gambling Help Line at 1-800-GAMBLER.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Rotary Club of Clear Lake’s 13th annual Seafood Boil is fast approaching.
Scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Highlands Senior Center, this event has become a must-attend for many.
The meal starts with a tri-tip appetizer, salad and bread followed by “the boil.” Dessert also is served.
Wine tasting this year will be provided by Guenoc & Langtry Vineyards. A no-host bar is available. There is both a live and silent auction.
Funds raised from this event are used to benefit the community.
Tickets are now available for sale and cost $75 each. Tables may be sponsored for $700 each. Contact Andy Peterson at
If you’d like to contribute an auction item, call Roz Griffin at 707-272-2217.
The club provides scholarships annually. More than $270,000 in scholarships have been awarded in the last 45 years.
The Rotary Club of Clear Lake also provides dictionaries to all third graders in the Konocti Unified School District.
More than 3,100 dictionaries have been provided since the program began in 2005, and in 2016 the group plans to hand out about 250 dictionaries.
The group also hosts the annual Community Christmas Dinner and Celebration. This is the 23rd year for the event. For 2015, more than 900 folks enjoyed a delicious, free dinner, and more than 500 children shared their Christmas wishes with Santa and received a photo and a gift. Free warm clothing, coats and blankets were provided to all.
This year, a portion of the seafood boil proceeds will be contributed to the Lake County fire survivors program through the Lake Area Rotary Club Association.
Notable among the numerous other projects the club has completed since its inception in 1973 is sponsorship of the Safe House for Teens, contributions toward St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake's new emergency room and installations of bus stop shelters.
The Rotary Club of Clear Lake also worked for and paid for the dedication for a portion of Highway 53 to be designated as the Veterans Memorial Highway and other projects too numerous to name since our inception in 1973.
Rotarians are a diverse group, different in many ways, yet united in the goal of contributing to the community.
For more information about the club, visit www.clearlakerotary.org or follow them on Facebook.