EUSD trustee Jose Fragozo back on board

(Editor’s Note: Vista Superior Court Judge Richard S. Whitney last month denied Escondido Union School District officials’ attempt to place a restraining order on EUSD Trustee Jose Fragozo. For more on that, visit http://bit.ly/1NqVxNs. Tonight, Mr. Fragozo returns to the board room for the first time for a school board meeting. He issued this statement today…)

It’s good to be back in the EUSD boardroom this evening where the voters of my district want me to be.

The last five months have been an exceptionally long and difficult journey for my family and me. I am gratified that the court found no basis for the wrongful, slanderous charges against me. I thank all the community members who have supported me during this difficult time.

The school board and administration are here to serve the children and the families of this district.  We need to secure the best curriculum, tools, and teachers for all of our students, including the English Learners who comprise a significant percentage of our student body. Our children deserve an exceptional education that will ensure that they can live happy and productive lives as adults in their communities.

My specific focus on accountability has obviously rankled the other board members and administrators.

Administrators must be held responsible for the decisions they make. Our job as trustees is to ask hard questions about programs and spending and ensure that all perspectives are included in our discussions.

We are not here to make self-serving statements, pat ourselves on the back, or sit mutely by when immense issues face us.  Exactly how much did this failed legal action against me cost the taxpayers?

EUSD Trustee Jose Fragozo adresses supporters and media outside the Vista Courthouse after being exonerated from a wrongful restraining order filed by school district administrators.

I return to a board that still struggles to request answers even to simple questions about administrative actions. I return to a board that has changed its system for choosing its board president in order, apparently, to deny me that rightful responsibility.

As of today, I have yet to receive an apology from the superintendent or district administrators after their legal action against me failed.

Nor have I received any remedy nor redress for slanderous statements about me in letters sent to teachers, staff, and parents in the community.

This is a major disappointment, of course, but the greatest disappointment is that we have lost an opportunity to advance a collaborative approach to improving our students’ educational progress.

I’m calling upon the Board and Administration to let past animosities go — let’s work together to create a more successful future for our kids.