Letter to the Editor: Reader questions Richland' transparency

To the editor:

I am writing this as a concerned citizen of Shafter, as well as a former employee and former Board member of the Richland School District.

On July 20, 2023, an article appeared in the Shafter Press concerning school districts spending of federal covid relief funds. It was stated, “Numerous attempts to contact Superintendent Rosa Romero have gone unanswered, as well as calls to Richland Finance Director Martin Rodriguez” as to how the Richland School District had spent their allotted $11.1 million of funding.

On Aug. 24, 2023, an article appeared in the Shafter Press entitled “Shafter schools in uphill battle vs. absenteeism.” It stated that “attempts to contact the Richland School District for comment have gone unanswered” as to the district’s plans to improve students’ progress in absenteeism and performance.

To me, this lack of transparency on the district’s part is deplorable. The district and/or board should be held accountable for this lack of transparency to the Shafter community.

Michael Svilich

Shafter