FUHSD board does not extend Anthony's contract

On Monday night, the Fallbrook Union High School (FUHS) District Board voted not to extend the contract of Superintendent Tom Anthony past the existing term that ends with the 2009-2010 school year. The board did, however, vote to extend the contracts of Assistant Superintendents Chet Gannett and Jim Yahr through 2010 without discussion.

Those voting against extending the contract for Anthony were board president Bill O’Connor and members Mike Schulte and Marc Steffler.

Anthony’s performance evaluation reportedly took place in closed session prior to the public meeting. As a result, Anthony said he was unable to comment on it specifically. The position of superintendent requires an annual formal review with informal reviews at unspecified times. There have been no informal reviews, sources reported.

Anthony did say, “No matter how I’m treated, I will always be respectful and professional.”

Regardless of the accomplishments during his tenure, “They don’t want me,” he says. “It’s confusing.”

Anthony says he’s most proud of what his administration did with academics to improve test scores. Other accomplishments include upgrades in technology and the quality of academic programs and, lastly, improvements to facilities throughout the district. Some of these include renovations at the district’s alternative schools, the football field and track at the main campus and improvements to the gyms and swimming pool.

Finding the funding to achieve these results in the face of declining enrollment was difficult. “I’ve been working for six years to make this happen. No one can take that from me,” Anthony says.

He maintains it is the teachers’ union’s objective to dominate the districts and says this is happening all over the country. “No one can ever come back that I’m a mean, nasty person,” Anthony says. “I’m not here to be ‘liked,’ I’m here to make sure the kids get the best education, second to none, but they don’t want to hear that.”

Board President Bill O’Connor did not respond to requests for comment.

The board did approve an agreement with Nike/Brand Athletics whereby FUHS can purchase all Nike footwear and equipment at a 35-percent discount and Nike apparel at a 40-percent discount on suggested retail prices through 2010. Custom game day uniforms for football, basketball, baseball, softball, lacrosse and cross country will be negotiated separately.

According to the agreement, “Nike uniforms will be purchased during the normal buying cycle for each sport.” All FUHS campus employees, student clubs and organizations and booster clubs will be able to purchase Nike products using the same discounts. Further, FUHS can buy products at these discounts to sell in the bookstore and sporting event, priced as they choose.

Nike’s special programs offered to NCAA Division 1 universities are also extended to FUHS through this agreement.

Eleven new teachers were introduced to the board Monday night. In addition, John Hayek moves from teacher and athletic director to assistant principal.

See next week’s article on three of the new teachers, all graduates of Fallbrook High School.