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UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Upper Lake Unified School District is seeking community members interested in serving on a newly formed bond citizens’ oversight committee.

The district established the committee to oversee expenditures of Measure I and Measure J bond funds, which were the bond measures approved by District voters on Nov. 6.

Measure I, also known as the “Upper Lake Unified School District High School Renovation and Modernization Measure,” is a $10 million bond that will raise an average of $527,000 annually to repay bonds through maturity from levies of approximately three cents per $100 of assessed
valuation.

The funding would be used to construct and modernize classrooms, upgrade career Technology education, enhance safety/security, provide 21st century learning environments at Upper Lake High School and provide the local match for state grants.

Measure J is also known as the “Upper Lake Unified School District School Facilities Improvement District No. 1 (K-8 Area) Elementary and Middle School Renovation and Modernization Measure.”

It’s a $12 million ballot that would raise an average of $665,000 annually to repay bonds through maturity from levies of approximately six cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

Measure J is meant to construct, modernize and rehabilitate K-8 classrooms, improve access to modern technology, install shade structures, improve play areas, enhance safety/security and provide the local match for state grants.

The district is presently accepting applications from interested persons, on a voluntary basis, to serve on the committee.

The committee will consist of seven members who will meet and review reports prepared by district staff relating to bond fund expenditures to ensure money is used on voter-approved projects.

Maintaining a committee to review expenditures is required by law and was promised to district voters as part of the transparency and accountability provisions in the bond measures.

Interested persons may obtain an application from the Superintendent’s Office, located at 675 Clover Valley Road, Upper Lake, any of the school sites (Upper Lake Elementary, Middle or High School) or download the application from the district’s Web site at www.ulusd.org.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25, at the office of the superintendent.
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Seaira K. Dotson. Courtesy photo.


CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Police Department is seeking the community’s help in locating a missing at-risk juvenile.

Seaira K. Dotson, 15, was last seen at her residence in Clearlake on Wednesday approximately 1:30 a.m., police said.

Police said the teen is considered at risk due to information obtained during the investigation.

She is described as a black female juvenile, 5 feet 6 inches tall and 100 pounds, with green eyes and brown hair.

If you have seen Seaira or have any information regarding her whereabouts, please contact the Clearlake Police Department at 707-994-8251.
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The 2019 Board of Supervisors: From left, Rob Brown, Tina Scott, EJ Crandell, Moke Simon and Bruno Sabatier at the meeting on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, in Lakeport, Calif. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Two new members took their seats on the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, bringing to the county’s highest government body an infusion of youth and greater diversity.

Bruno Sabatier, representing District 2, and EJ Crandell, representing District 3, were sworn in on Tuesday morning by County Clerk-Auditor-Controller Cathy Saderlund.

Crandell, elected to succeed Supervisor Jim Steele, is the tribal chair for Robinson Rancheria and the second American Indian representative to sit on the board, after District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon, also a tribal leader for Middletown Rancheria.

Lake is believed to be the only county in the state – and possibly the nation – that has that level of tribal representation as part of its overall county leadership, according to statements at Tuesday’s meeting.

Sabatier, who came to the United States from France, just completed his first term on the Clearlake City Council during which he served as mayor. He was elected to succeed Supervisor Jeff Smith, who has been on the board for 20 years.

Before Crandell and Sabatier were sworn and seated, their predecessors were honored by their board colleagues.

Steele, who for the past year has chaired the board, opened the meeting. During the moment of silence, an emotional Smith dedicated it to his friend, Bill Rutherford, a former California Highway Patrol officer who died last week.

After the meeting was under way, Steele passed the gavel to Vice Chair Tina Scott and Supervisor Rob Brown presented a proclamation to Smith, who he said doesn’t like to be in the spotlight.

When he was first elected, Brown said the first call he got was from Smith, congratulating him and offering him assistance. Brown said Smith was always there when he needed advice, and he’s been a true gentleman.

“I genuinely appreciate the friendship we've developed over these years,” Brown said.

The proclamation offered for Smith lauded him for his five terms representing District 2, which includes the majority of the city of Clearlake.

His priorities have included support for public safety, code enforcement efforts, assistance to senior centers, encouragement of tourism and development of local jobs.

He also served on a variety of committees, including the Area Planning Council/Lake Transit Authority, Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Commission, First 5 Lake, the Local Area Formation Commission, Clearlake Redevelopment Agency and the Solid Waste Task Force.

“Supervisor Smith, a highly successful business owner in his own right, served as a champion for local businesses throughout his tenure with the Board,” the proclamation stated.

The proclamation also noted that Smith was instrumental in securing essential recovery resources for his community, which was severely impacted by the October 2017 Sulphur wildfire, in which he and his wife lost their own home.

Smith was strongly committed to fire hazard abatement, development of the former Pearce Airport in Clearlake, housing for veterans, regular local tax sales to reduce blight and support for the development of an all new transit hub in Clearlake.

In collaboration with Congressman Mike Thompson, Smith also played an integral role in the 10-plus year project to open a Veterans Affairs clinic in Clearlake, a goal which came to fruition in November 2010.

Smith wiped at his eyes as Brown read the proclamation. “I’m easily choked up,” he said afterward.

“I really appreciate all your comments, Rob,” he said. However, he added, “Everybody out there deserves the credit,” giving a large amount of credit to county staff.

“I just hope that the county can get better,” he said, explaining he had expected to see more things get done.

Smith added, “Our employees deserve a lot more. It's something we've always strived for, but because of the catastrophes we've had, we haven't been able to carry it through.”

Simon and Scott both thanked him, with Scott noting, “I wish I would have had more time to work with you.”

Steele said he and Smith have shared a couple of disasters together, and that Smith has been right there for his community and county every step of the way.

“It’s been a good 20 years, Jeff,” Steele said.

Simon then read the proclamation for Steele, who for four years has represented District 3, the largest geographically of the five supervisorial districts.

The proclamation credited him with helping reduce the cost of water in the economically challenged community of Lucerne, and recognized his representation of the county at the Rural County Representatives of California and the California State Association of Counties, with Steele one of only 40 supervisors in the history of the CSAC Institute to become a California Credentialed Supervisor.

He has served on numerous committees and governing bodies, including the Area Agency on Aging, the Blue Ribbon Committee on Restoring Clear Lake, the Disaster Council, Eel Russian River Commission/Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Fire Safe Council, the Potter Valley Project and the Workforce Alliance of the North Bay.

Steele also implemented town halls on the Northshore, led efforts to deal with garbage and refuse to diminish blight and reduce the risk of resulting environmental hazards, spearheaded the creation of the newly formed Lake County Fire Risk Reduction Authority to enhance home and property protections and support local resiliency efforts, and championed an ordinance designed to regulate the local cannabis industry.

After Simon read the proclamation, Steele thanked everyone for coming and and said the only way that governance works is when the governed allow it. He also credited the work of county staff.

Steele said he was honored to serve four years, and that this completes 28 years of public service for him. He’s also worked in private industry, including owning several small businesses, one of which he intends to return to now that his term is done. He said he’s never had more fun or been more honored than working for the county.

He said Crandell will serve well, calling him a sterling individual and an amazing person, adding he couldn’t wait to get him up on the dais. “You’re ready and I’m done.”

Scott thanked Steele for his service and for being available to answer her questions.

“I know you're very passionate about your community,” and she added she expects to see him continue working.

Simon commended Steele for forming the Silver Foundation, which focuses on senior issues and holds annual senior summits, noting it’s a great legacy for him. He also thanked Steele for sitting him down and sharing information on the lake so he could get an understanding of it. “You really set me straight on it.”

Brown said of Steele, “For the one term you were here, you worked hard, you got a lot done for your district.”

He said there's a small fraternity of people who really understand how difficult things can be on the board, and noted the realities of serving in office are much more severe that running for it.

During Tuesday’s meeting, a representative from Congressman Mike Thompson’s office presented certificates to both Smith and Steele.

Steele also received a proclamation from Gene Paleno of Upper Lake’s town hall and received thanks and praise from other community members, including Habematolel Pomo Tribal Chair Sherry Treppa, who thanked him for being an advocate for the tribe and, referring to Crandell, said it was exciting to see another tribal member coming onto the board. Steele’s wife, Olga, also said she hasn’t known anyone who works harder than her husband behind the scenes, and thanked him for serving the public.

Also during public comment, Les Miller, a tribal advisory council for the Lake County Museum, congratulated both Smith and Steele for their support of an American Indian statue that’s soon to be installed in front of the museum.

He also lauded Simon and Crandell for their work on the board. “I'm so proud, you make my heart soar like a hawk.”

Crandell and Sabatier were then called forward to take their oaths while Smith and Steele came down from the dais, clearing the way for their successors to take their seats.

From left, EJ Crandell and Bruno Sabatier are sworn in as the newest members of the Lake County Board of Supervisors by County Clerk-Auditor-Controller Cathy Saderlund on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, in Lakeport, Calif. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.


Choosing board leadership, getting to work

With its two new members in place, the board then elected the new year’s leadership. Brown nominated Scott as chair and Simon as vice chair, with Sabatier seconding and the board voting 5-0.

County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson then asked the board to add an extra item to the agenda which inadvertently had been left off – the swearing in of several other county officials. The board unanimously approved the request.

Taking their oaths were Sheriff Brian Martin, Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg, Assessor-Recorder Richard Ford and District Attorney Susan Krones. Tax Collector Barbara Ringen was not present but also had been due to be sworn.

Sheriff Martin’s father, retired Judge Richard Martin, administered the oath to his son ahead of his swearing-in before the board.

During public comment, Robinson Rancheria tribal member Wanda Quitiquit gave Crandell a gift – a gourd decorated with Pomo geometric designs, leather and beadwork.

“I know you will do a great job,” she said.

Huchingson also introduced Patrick Sullivan, who will hold the new tax administrator job in her office and, in that capacity, will work on the cannabis business tax, other revenue tax in general.

In other business, the board approved the request from acting Lake County Health Officer Dr. Erin Gustafson to consider continuing a proclamation of a local health emergency due to the Mendocino Complex fire, which she said was necessary due to the debris cleanup and soil testing still being under way.

Environmental Health Director Jesse Kang reported that, as of Jan. 3, 177 burned properties had enrolled in the state debris removal program, with 156 of them considered eligible. The remaining 21 were considered ineligible because they had outbuildings, not residences. Those properties were enrolled in a modified cleanup, with some of them withdrawing and going to private cleanup.

Out of the 156 eligible sites, debris removal has been completed on 139 of them, with 69 ready for rebuild, Kang said.

In its nearly two-and-a-half-hour-long meeting, the board received a final review of a Community Development Block Grant; held a discussion on the possible creation of benefit zones to deal with damage to county roads resulting from wildfires; considered agreements with Quincy Engineering Inc. for engineering services for replacement of Wolf Creek Bridge at Wolf Creek Road, rehabilitation of Bartlett Creek Bridge at Bartlett Springs Road and rehabilitation of Middle Creek Bridge at Rancheria Road; and considered and approved an agreement between with Peterson Brustad Inc. in the amount of $499,971.00 for the Middle Creek Flood Control Feasibility Study for the community of Upper Lake.

They appointed or reappointed members of the planning commission. Crandell’s successor as District 3 commissioner is Batsulwin A. Brown, a tribal member from Elem Colony. Reappointed members are District 1 Commissioner John H. Hess III, District 2 Commissioner Bob Malley, District 4 Commissioner Daniel Camacho and District 5 Commissioner Daniel Suenram.

The board also approved the chair’s recommended 2019 committee assignments for board members, elected the chair and vice chair of the Lake County Board of Equalization and the Lake County In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority Board of Directors; and made a number of commission and committee appointments, including approving the selection of Bill Gabe to the Lakeport Fire Protection District.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
From left, District Attorney Susan Krones, Assessor-Recorder Richard Ford, Sheriff Brian Martin and Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg take their oaths of office from County Clerk-Auditor-Controller Cathy Saderlund on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, in Lakeport, Calif. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Police Department said a teenage girl who went missing and was considered at risk earlier this week is safe.

The agency said on Thursday that Seaira K. Dotson, 15, had been safely located.

The girl had been reported missing after last been seen at her residence in Clearlake on Wednesday approximately 1:30 a.m., police said.

Police thanked the community for its help in getting the word out.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College is hosting a “one stop shop” event on Saturday, Jan. 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help students sign up for the upcoming spring semester.

All interested potential students should come to the Administration Building where application workshops, placement information, counseling services, registration and financial aid will be provided.

Students should bring their Social Security card or alien registration number (if applicable), a picture ID and high school transcripts (if available).

The spring semester begins on Monday, Jan. 14, and many classes are still available.

Additionally, the Culinary Arts department at the Lake County Campus is hosting a Culinary Round Up to invite students to sign up for Culinary Arts and Baking classes.

Interested students can experience a state-of-the-art kitchen and learn how they can earn a degree or certificate and become a professional chef. Learn to cook and make some dough!

The Lake County Campus is located at 15880 Dam Road Extension in Clearlake.

Everyone is welcome.

For more information, call 707-995-7900.

For more information about the Lake County Campus, please visit the website at http://lcc.yccd.edu.

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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Two south Lake County residents were seriously hurt in a head-on collision near Middletown on Monday night.

Kevin Schosek, 62, of Anderson Springs and Karen Brown, 52, of Hidden Valley Lake suffered major injuries in the crash, which occurred at 6:30 p.m. Monday, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office.

The CHP said Schosek was driving a 1999 Chevrolet 1500 pickup southbound on Highway 29 near the Bar X Ranch at 55 miles per hour when he experienced mechanical trouble with the headlamps.

At the same time, Brown was driving a 2004 Honda Odyssey van northbound on Highway 29, also at 55 miles per hour, the CHP said.

The CHP’s report explained that Schosek was distracted due to the mechanical failure of his headlights and he veered across the double yellow lines and into the path of Brown’s van.

Brown saw Schosek’s pickup driving directly towards her in the northbound lane, without any headlights on, and swerved to the left in an attempt to avoid a head-on collision, the CHP said.

Schosek simultaneously observed the headlights of Brown’s van coming at him and realized he had crossed the double yellow lines, and he turned his pickup to the right in an attempt to avoid a head-on collision.

The CHP said the pickup and van collided head-on and came to rest blocking both lanes. Both lanes of Highway 29 remained blocked while fire personnel extricated Brown and Schosek from their vehicles.

Radio reports stated that, due to the inclement weather, air ambulances could not respond to fly Brown and Schosek out of county. The CHP said they were transported by ambulance to Adventist Health Hospital in Clearlake.

One-way traffic control was in place while the vehicles were removed from the scene, the CHP said.

The CHP said alcohol and/or drugs were not suspected to be a factor in this collision.

Both Schosek and Brown were wearing their seat belts, the CHP said.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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Fresh off being sworn into office this week, new California Treasurer Fiona Ma has announced that she intends to kick off a statewide listening tour beginning Jan. 17 to gather ideas and feedback from the public about how her office can help increase the supply of affordable housing statewide.

The listening tour will visit five cities – Fresno, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego and San Francisco – and allow Treasurer Ma to gather information, collect insights and learn about regional housing issues and challenges.

The public is encouraged to attend and to RSVP at http://bit.ly/TreasurerMaHousingListeningTour.

“This listening tour will be a time for me to hear from people about how well the state treasurer’s office has been providing service in their area and how we can do better going forward towards making affordable housing available,” said Treasurer Ma. “I intend to sit quietly and listen directly to the ideas and feedback from people of each of the communities that we visit. It will not be the time for me to make promises or commit to specific objectives.”

The State Treasurer’s Office has two programs in place that offer assistance to those in need of affordable housing. Both programs promote private investment in affordable rental housing for low-income Californians.

The California Debt Limit Allocation Committee, or CDLAC, manages the state’s tax-exempt bond allocations for affordable housing projects and the Single-Family First-Time Homebuyer Program.

In 2017, CDLAC’s allocation for tax-exempt bonds helped to finance more than 12,000 units of housing, including more than 10,000 affordable units, and assisted over 2,000 new homebuyers.

Another program offered by the state treasurer’s office is the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, or CTCAC, which administers the federal and state Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Programs.

In 2017, between CTCAC’s three Federal Credit Awards programs more than 13,000 low-income housing units were financed.

According to Ma, the listening tour will help her understand how best to organize and deploy these and other resources that her office has to offer.

Additionally, it will allow her to assist Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has called for 3.5 million new housing units by 2025, which amounts to 500,000 new homes each year. That’s 6.25 times more than California currently produces – an average of 80,000 homes a year.

Treasurer Fiona Ma’s Affordable Housing Listening Tour calendar follows:

Thursday, Jan. 17

9 a.m.
Los Angeles
Ward Village Senior Apts.
1177 W. Adams Blvd.

3 p.m.
San Diego
San Diego Housing Commission
1122 Broadway

Friday, Jan. 18

10 a.m.

Sacramento
The Sacramento Housing & Redevelopment Agency
801 12th St.

3 p.m.

San Francisco
Recology Golden Gate
900 7th St.

Friday, Jan. 25

9 a.m.

Fresno
Legacy Commons Community Center
2255 S. Plumas St.
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Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) and 44 other Members of the California Congressional Delegation slammed President Donald Trump’s false and defamatory statements on Twitter about the California wildfires.

In addition to Thompson, letter signatures included representatives Maxine Waters (CA-43), Anna Eshoo (CA-18), Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Zoe Logfren (CA-19), Brad Sherman (CA-30), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Grace Napolitano (CA-07), Susan Davis (CA-53), Adam Schiff (CA-28), Linda T. Sanchez (CA-38), Jim Costa (CA-16), Doris Matsui (CA-06), Jerry McNerney (CA-09), Jackie Speier (CA-14), Judy Chu (CA-27), John Garamendi (CA-03), Karen Bass (CA-37), Ami Bera (CA-07), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), Scott Peters (CA-52), Raul Ruiz (CA-36), Eric Swalwell (CA-15), Mark Takano (CA-41), Juan Vargas (CA-51), Pete Aguilar (CA-31), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11), Ted Lieu (CA-33), Norma Torres (CA-35), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Lou Correa (CA-46), Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Gil Cisneros (CA-39), TJ Cox (CA-21), Josh Harder (CA-10), Katie Hill (CA-25), Mike Levin (CA-49), Katie Porter (CA-45) and Harley Rouda (CA-48).

They were joined by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03).

Calling president’s language appalling, the members corrected the record regarding federal government oversight of California forests and demanded he restore federal support to those recovering from wildfires.

The full text of the letter is below.

January 9, 2019

President Donald J. Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500

Mr. President:

We are writing in response to the cruel and dishonest statement you issued today regarding wildfires in California.

According to your statement, posted on Twitter, you intend to withhold disaster assistance funding from California communities struggling to recover from wildfires until changes are made to state-level forest management policies.

The casual cruelty of this threat is appalling. Thousands of people have lost everything: family members, homes, property, lives. These families deserve empathy and support from their President. Instead, you issued a callous and unfeeling threat to make a political point.

Your statement was also dishonest. The federal government oversees almost 60 percent of forestland in California, and several of the costliest, largest or deadliest fires in history – including last year’s Camp and Carr Fires – ignited on federal land. The federal government is responsible for these lands, not the State of California, and blaming these fires on state-level forest management is utterly false.

We urge you to retract your misleading statement. We also request, in the strongest possible terms, that you immediately restore federal support to Americans recovering from wildfires.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – In its first meeting of the new year the Clearlake City Council will get an update from staff on tourism-related efforts and consider the mayor’s appointments.

The council will meet in closed session at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, to discuss anticipated litigation, property negotiations for 14130 Tuli Lane as well as labor negotiations before the open portion of the meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

Under council business, there will be an update on the collection of transient occupancy tax and tourism district assessments for 2019.

As part of that discussion, staff will present the latest on its efforts to collect transient occupancy tax, or bed tax, from vacation rental owners.

The council also will offer direction regarding an offer in compromise to satisfy the abatement lien on 3800 Howard Ave.

Mayor Nick Bennett will make his 2019 appointments, and the council will consider appointing members as representatives to the League of California Cities Redwood Empire Division.

The council also will consider appointing two members to the Measure V Oversight Committee.

Also on Thursday, the council will hold a public hearing to consider a development agreement with Brian Galperin for cannabis manufacturing operations and, sitting as the Clearlake Redevelopment Successor Agency, will consider adopting the recognized obligation payments schedule.

Also on Thursday the council will get a presentation by Kin Ong, deputy general manager of the Public Agency Risk Sharing Authority of California, and a presentation on council norms and procedures.

On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are warrant registers; consideration of continuation of a local emergency issued on Oct. 9, 2017, and ratified by council action Oct. 12, 2017; minutes of the Nov. 8 and 19, Dec. 3, 6 and 13 meetings; reappointment of Planning Commission Nathalie Antus for a second four-year term; approval of the amended agreement for planning services with Price Consulting Services; second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 216-2019 regulating vendor and door-to-door sales activity and amending sections of county code regulating itinerant businesses; second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 217-2019, approving a development agreement with Justin Jones for property located at 14935 Olympic Drive, units C/D and E/F; second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 218-2019 approve a development agreement with Steven Malone for property located at 14935 Olympic Drive, units A and B2; the annual calendar of meetings; and approval of the fair political practices Form 806 reporting public official appointments.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Only a month after they took their seats, three new members of the Lakeport Unified School District Board voted Wednesday night to terminate the superintendent without cause, a move that will cost the district a year’s worth of salary and benefits and one which school staff said could lead to a mass exodus.

Superintendent April Leiferman went into two separate closed session meetings with the board on Wednesday evening, emerging ahead of them after the second one, with the board coming out separately less than an hour later to report the termination decision.

Board Chair Dan Buffalo, and fellow members Carly Alvord and Jennifer Hanson voted to terminate Leiferman’s contract, with Lori Holmes voting no and Phil Kirby abstaining.

The previous board had hired Leiferman in May 2017, approving a three-year contract with an annual salary of $154,234 and health and welfare benefits not to exceed $14,500 each year.

Buffalo said both the state education code and Leiferman’s contract call for her to be paid for a full year after termination without cause. He said the district is letting its attorneys figure out how Leiferman’s severance amount will be paid.

Alvord, Buffalo and Hanson ran on a unified platform in the November election. From the beginning they took an antagonistic stance toward district leadership, including Leiferman, particularly after the previous board in October removed Rachel Paarsch from the Terrace Middle School principal’s job, a move Paarsch and her supporters blamed primarily on Leiferman. Paarsch is Kirby’s daughter and a longtime friend of Alvord.

The stage for Wednesday evening’s action appeared set late last month, after the new board called a special meeting two days after Christmas – while the district was closed and Leiferman was on vacation – and hired its own attorney to advise it in matters including its relationship with the district superintendent, as Lake County News has reported.

That attorney, Kristin Lindgren of the firm Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, was directed at the board at that time to prepare a report on a personnel matter topic for the special closed session held Wednesday evening, ahead of the board’s regular meeting.

After the board’s decision on Wednesday, Buffalo said that there will be “a very deliberate process” to find the district’s next leader.

He told Lake County News that the board asked him to start seeking potential candidates for an interim transition team, and he’s talked to several community members about an interim superintendent.

“I think it’s clear we’re not as prepared as we’d like to be,” he acknowledged.

Asked for an estimate of when a permanent superintendent could be in place, Buffalo said April and May are big months for hiring school administrators.

With Leiferman’s departure, the district now has two key leadership positions to fill – Business Manager Lynn Thomasson has tendered her resignation and is returning to Kelseyville Unified, where she previously worked. Thomasson was at the board’s special Dec. 27 meeting, at which time they asked to do an exit interview with her to discuss her reasons for leaving.

Several district employees have told Lake County News that Leiferman had strong support among them. They’ve said they’re afraid of speaking out publicly out of concern they will become targets of the new board.

Some of those who spoke with Lake County News at the Wednesday meeting said they were considering resigning from the district because of the increasingly difficult atmosphere.

They also said they believe the situation is leading to numerous students being pulled from the district to attend schools in Upper Lake and Kelseyville.

Closed sessions ahead of termination

The board convened at 5 p.m. Wednesday in open session at the district office before a standing-room-only audience, many of them teachers, staff and other district personnel, along with parents.

Kirby, the board’s clerk, opened the meeting, explaining that Buffalo had texted him to say he would be late.

They opened up to public comment, none was offered, and then moved into a closed session in another part of the district office building, leaving the dozens of audience members waiting for them.

Leiferman went into the closed session with them and emerged along with the board at 6 p.m., at which point Buffalo – who had joined them after they went into the private discussion – saying they were still discussing several items on the agenda and planned to go back into closed session.

The board then took public comment from several individuals, including parent Joe Szupello, who said he was sick and tired of the drama the new school board had created. “It is time to focus on our kids.”

He blamed the new board for carrying out personal vendettas, saying people are afraid of speaking up due to fear. Szupello faulted them for the Dec. 27 decision to hire another attorney to deal with the superintendent.

They also heard from a parent concerned that her son suffered a concussion at school, having been knocked down by another student. Buffalo at that point directed Leiferman to investigate the situation and report back.

Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen also notified the board that his agency is planning active shooter training at the campus during spring break and that he is working to begin a new police dog program that he plans to use to enhance school safety at the district.

Also during public comment, Rob Alves, a math teacher at Clear Lake High School, submitted a letter from the school’s staff in support of keeping the current administration – including Principal Jill Falconer – in place.

The letter credited Falconer’s leadership for establishing an island of calm and helping students thrive. It said a change in the current administration could result in the loss of highly qualified staff and would counter the campaign platform of the new board members.

The Clear Lake High School letter addressed concerns that numerous staffers have shared with Lake County News about a major shakeup in the district’s leadership, and which would be echoed by other employees later in the meeting.

The board then left for another closed session at 6:23 p.m. Kirby came out at 7:53 p.m., noting he had to recuse himself. Rachel Paarsch and her husband were both in the audience, waiting for the rest of the board to come out.

At approximately 8:11 p.m., Leiferman emerged, looking into the meeting room from a side door. She appeared visibly upset, and disappeared minutes later.

Buffalo came out at 8:33 p.m. to get Kirby, and then at 8:41 p.m. the entire board emerged with Tami Carley, the superintendent’s secretary, but without Leiferman herself.

Kirby announced action taken on several other closed session items before Buffalo announced that the board had voted to terminate Leiferman’s contract, without cause.

He then said they were tabling the rest of the night’s agenda and ending the meeting just after 8:45 p.m., with plans for a special meeting – initially called for 10 a.m. but later moved to 2 p.m. Saturday at the district office – to discuss the transition. The goal is to have an interim superintendent in place by Monday.

Kirby, who is a retired school administrator with a lifetime credential, said he would be available in the meantime to take on any superintendent’s duties.

At that point the Paarschs and some other audience members left.

Employees ‘sick and tired’ of new board

However, about three-quarters of the audience, most of them district employees, stayed in place, with several individuals – among them, Darren Wells, the classified union representative – haranguing the board about the decision to abruptly end a meeting for which they had approved the agenda.

Wells, slapping a paper on his hand, told them he had union matters to discuss with them and they needed to keep the meeting going. When it looked like they might continue with ending the meeting, Wells said, “Now you're just being terrible.”

An audience member turned to Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg and asked if there was anything he could do.

“They’re the board,” Falkenberg said.

“We're new, bear with us” said Buffalo as one female staffer rose and left in anger.

Buffalo apologized and said ending the meeting incorrectly had been his fault. Kirby suggested they reconvene and Buffalo said they would continue with the rest of the meeting.

During the next hour, as the board worked through the remaining items on its agenda, including a discussion on signage for vehicle searches that ultimately was tabled for future consideration.

As the meeting continued, numerous questions arose about who would act in the superintendent’s place. Buffalo said the board would be discussing it. Some agenda items also had to be held over, as Leiferman had been set to present them.

Then Wells went to the podium to tell the board how he and fellow classified employees felt about them.

He said staff is concerned about the money the board has spent from the general fund for another attorney. Paraprofessionals also are upset about a letter Buffalo had sent out about hiring more of their number when some of them have very few hours as it is and work for only $2 more an hour than minimum wage.

Wells read comments from a number of fellow employees, who were not named. “Everything that is happening in this district is scaring the crud out of me,” one wrote, noting the situation made them not want to come to work.

Others complained that Alvord, Buffalo and Hanson had trashed the district’s reputation during the campaign. The employee statements told the board they needed to observe the schools more before making drastic decisions, with staff reporting that only Holmes and Kirby have been seen on campus.

The board also was admonished that to remove anyone without first letting a good working relationship develop would be flat out wrong.

“The board has district employees fearful for the future of LUSD,” one individual wrote.

The statements Wells read also accused the new board members and Kirby of not working in the best interests of students but instead taking purely retaliatory actions on behalf of their wife, sisters, best friends and daughters, apparent references to Buffalo’s wife and Alvord’s sisters, and to Paarsch, Alvord’s friend and Kirby’s daughter.

The comments also accused the new board of using word of mouth and social media to make uninformed statements about Lakeport Elementary School. They were told they needed to meet with that school’s principal, Aaron Carter, and form an opinion of his ability.

Wells told the new board, “Our classified employees are sick and tired of you guys already,” adding that people are calling him around the clock, every day of the week, with their concerns, and that he has his union team on standby.

“It is retaliation, most people feel,” Wells said.

Buffalo responded that the new board has a desperate desire to open up communication, honesty and deliberately. “We want to move forward together, as one unit, as one organization.”

Wells then raised the issue of the special, last-minute meeting called during Christmas week, when it was pointed out by another audience member that both Holmes and Leiferman had been on vacation. Holmes, however, had called in and participated by phone.

“Transparency, I think not,” Wells said.

During the meeting, Holmes said she did not agree with firing Leiferman, noting she felt she was a competent superintendent.

“Her intent was always what's best for the kids,” said Holmes. “I'm sad to see her go.”

Holmes also told her fellow board members, “You guys are moving really fast for me,” and that she finds it very scary. Similarly, she said they’ve spooked a lot of the district staff. She said she felt the Dec. 27 meeting, while the district was closed, was not a good move.

“When I started I made mistakes, too,” she said, and recalled the help Tom Powers and Dennis Darling – who were defeated in the November election – for their guidance and experience.

She said there are difficult decisions ahead and that the board needed to focus on its own education and training. She asked that a series of board policies be brought back for future discussion. “There are laws we have to follow and if we break those laws, there are consequences for it.”

Holmes said she, Hanson and Alvord had attended an effective governance workshop at the Lake County Office of Education and said it was very helpful. She said the trainer will come and work with new boards, and she encouraged Buffalo to take training.

She also brought Christmas presents to the new board members, copies of a book Holmes was given by former Superintendent Erin Hagberg when she joined the board, titled, “How Not To Be A Terrible School Board Member.”

She requested they not make big decisions until they had more training, and that they slow down a big. “I'm just a little bit scared,” she said, with the audience giving her a round of applause.

Kirby asked staff to maintain their sense of commitment and passion as they work with the district’s children every day. He said he would check with the Lake County Office of Education on Thursday to make sure there isn’t any potential conflict in being both a board member and the acting superintendent.

Buffalo thanked Holmes for her comments. “We did move very quickly. I take full responsibility for that,” he said.

He added, “In my case I felt we had to do that, we had to do what we did.”

Alvord asked for patience, tolerance and help. “We've known each other our whole lives.”

She continued, “Let's help each other. Let's stop tearing each other down.”

Former Board member Lynn Andre, who hadn’t sought reelection in November, told them that superintendent candidates do their homework before applying to districts. “They're not going to be lining up to come to this.”

She said the board needed to learn its roles, understand its responsibilities and try its best to mend the situation.

Steve Newnham, who teaches government, economics and world history at Clear Lake High and is the teachers union president, told the board that the money they are having to pay out on Leiferman’s contract is coming from the general fund and that it amounted to taking a 4-percent raise away from every district staff member.

He said the supply of teachers is very low and they can go elsewhere, so Newnham suggested they be creative and find a way to get district staffers raises.

Newnham said the teachers union is not a radical group, and is here to help. However, he warned, “Don’t confuse our willingness to help the district as a weakness.”

He added, “I'm worried that you're going to see a mass exodus.”

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Posted On

NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office said its continuing investigation into the deaths of a family along the Mendocino Coast in March has led to the identification of remains found in May as belonging to one of the missing children.

Lt. Shannon Barney said the remains were identified as those of Hannah Louise-Holiday Hart, who also went by the last name of Scheurich, 16, of Woodland, Washington.

On the afternoon of March 26 the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office responded to the area of Juan Creek and North Highway 1, just north of the town of Westport, on the report of a traffic collision resulting in five fatalities.

The individuals who died later were identified as all belonging to the Hart family of Washington; Jennifer Hart, 38; Sarah Hart, 38; Markis Hart, 19; Jeremiah Hart, 14; and Abigail Hart, 14.

As a result of this investigation three other family members were listed as missing persons; Devonte Hart, 15; Hannah Hart, 16; and and Ciera Hart, 12.

An extensive investigation was initiated into the cause of the collision, the location of the three missing persons and the cause and manner of death of the decedents. It’s believed that Jennifer Hart intentionally drove the family’s SUV off a cliff.

This investigation has been an ongoing effort with the cooperating investigatory agencies being; The Clark County Washington Sheriff's Office, the California Highway Patrol and the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.

On the afternoon of April 7, human remains were again discovered on the beach just north of where the original collision occurred. Ten days later, the remains were positively identified as belonging to Ciera Hart via DNA testing by the California Department of Justice Bureau of Forensic Services Laboratory.

On May 9, the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office again responded to this area after a citizen reported partial human remains found on the beach.

These remains consisted of a partial foot located inside a shoe and attached to a pair of jeans. The jeans and shoe appeared consistent with those that would fit a smaller-sized person.

The remains were forwarded the to the DOJ LAB to see if a DNA profile could be determined and if so, could the remains be identified as one of the two remaining missing children, Devonte Hart or Hannah Hart.

On June 8, the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office was notified the results of the testing by the DOJ LAB were inconclusive and the remains could not be positively identified.

The DOJ LAB personnel requested additional samples from known family members so additional testing could be conducted.

In October, a woman who identified herself as the mother of Markis, Abigail and Hannah Hart contacted the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office and indicated she had heard of this incident via a family member.

She was fully cooperative in this investigation and with the assistance of detectives of the Mobile, Alabama Police Department, a DNA sample was obtained from this person and forwarded to the DOJ LAB for comparison testing.

On Tuesday, the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office received word from the DOJ LAB that the additional DNA test results showed a positive identification of the partial remains found on May 9 as belonging to Hannah Hart.

Devonte Hart is still listed as a missing person with the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.

It is believed that the most likely scenario is that he too perished in this incident but the case remains open and active.

The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office is poised to follow up any viable investigative lead but has not received any indication of Devonte being located elsewhere.
Posted On

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Area Town Hall’s first meeting of the year will feature a board election and discussion of a vineyard project.

MATH will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, at the Middletown Community Center, 21256 Washington St.

Meetings are open to the community, and offer the opportunity for additional public input on items not included on the agenda.

On the agenda is a discussion with Stephen McCord of local abandoned mines.

There also will be discussion on a vineyard development project on the old Browning property.

In other business, there will be board elections and approval of the group’s Facebook page guidelines.

The MATH Board includes Chair Joseph Sullivan, Vice Chair Courtney Van Leuven, Secretary Marlene Elder, and at-large members Claude Brown and Lisa Kaplan.

MATH – established by resolution of the Lake County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 12, 2006 – is a municipal advisory council serving the residents of Anderson Springs, Cobb, Coyote Valley (including Hidden Valley Lake), Long Valley and Middletown.

Meetings are subject to videotaping.

For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

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