The Argus from Fremont, California • Page 3

Fremont school district THE ARGUS Friday, July 8, 1977 Fremonl-Newark, Calif. Page 3 Fire calls Strong finance staff warning By THOMAS B. DEBLEY FREMONT Busiress operations of the Fremont school district have been scrutinized in perhaps greater detail than any other school district in the stale in recent years by some of the ablest auditors and consultants around. Literally dozens of recommendations for procedural changes have been received, and most of them implemented, to dean up widespread abuses unveiled when scandal rocked the district in the fall of 1974. But the procedures will prove worthless unless the board of education hires the manpower to see that they are properly followed, ii only the status quo is maintained, there assuredly will be another debacle.

That, in essence, is the strong message Supt. Wayne Ferguson and Asst. Supt. for Business -Verne Smutz have sent to trustees in hard-hitting words. "It's not a question of will there be," Ferguson told the board's five trustees.

"It's a question of when there will be." With thai analysis the top administrative officials hoping the board will approve business'office reorganization it put off in 1975. They are asking trustees to create six new positions under Smutz "as soon as possible," to upgrade his current assistant to budget director, and to hire a controller within two years. The effect, they predict, will be to maintain effective control over the $50 million spent yearly to operate the Bay Area's fourth largest school system, and to achieve efficiency and economy in budgeting and spending. The report Ferguson and Smutz sent to trustees this week outlines the goals of reorganization. Accounting Creation of three accounting department jobs special project accountant, lead payroll bookkeeper and lead accounts payable clerk are called for in reorganization "to maintain effective control over receipts and expenditures." An additional goal, says the'report, is "to provide lo management accurate and reliable financial data which arc essential for effective decision-making." The special project accountant would handle an increasing number of federally and state-funded special projects in the district, a job which requires "extensive and time- consuming accounting procedures," according to the report.

One reason, it adds, is because the law requires each such project to have separate budgeting and accounting. The job would be funded by those special funds. Payroll a department handling the needs of 3,000 employes is fraught with problems, the report maintains, because the current four bookkeepers "are scarcely able to keep up with the 'day-to-day'" paperwork, let alone take care of planning, scheduling and other jobs. Arguing for the lead payroll bookkeeper, the report states: "Planning, scheduling, communication with other departments, keeping informed of changes in, or the development of new district programs, are functions which are frequently not being accomplished." In the area of paying bills, the report says a lead accounts payable clerk is needed because'payments are taking three and four months with resultant higher prices being paid for goods. One large, but unnamed paper company Fremont crime up 9.9% National crime story, Page 7 FREMONT The Federal Bureau of Investigation released figures yesterday indicating thai serious crime in Fremont increased by 9.9 per cent last year.

The FBI's analysis of'crime in Fremont was part of a nationwide rundown of crime statistics. Serious crimes reported in Fremont increased from 2,037 in 1976 to 2,238, the bureau said The biggest increase was in forcible rape, which climbed from 7 to 11, an increase of 57.1 per cent. Motor vehicle thefts were up 29.5per cent; from 95 to 123. Aggravated assault was up 26.8 per cent, from 41 to 52. Robberies were down 17.1 per cent, dropping from 35 in 1976 lo 29.

Urcenous thefts climbed 9.9 per cent from 1,225 lo 1,346. Burglary break-ins increased 7 per xn from 632 in 1976 to 677. has refused to even do business wilh the district for tfiree years because of the problem, the report notes. If payment's are more timely, il continues, vendors will lower Ihcir prices to the district up to 8 per cent. "This is because vendors increase their prices to cover the cost of interest they have to pay when, their accounts receivable are not received in a timely manner," the report explains.

Budgeting problems Inadequate information and "a small staff which does not approach Ihc number of professionally trained accountants required for such an undertaking result in unreliable budgeting," according to the report. For lhal reason, it says, tlie district needs a budget director to develop a budget "which will provide a means of improved communication wilh employes and the public concerning Ihe financial plans of Ihe.district "The accuracy of the budget is tied directly to the reliability of the accounting data upon which tlie budget is based," the report continues. "In this as.pect of the budget, there is room for much iiriprovement." Business ricrvios management White the recommendation of the board's mriside auditors in January called for a larger accounting staff, the report says there most also be additional checks and balances on top of that. One would be a controller, responsible to Smutz, to provide direct supervision of accounting and budgeting divisions. "Such rt position could improve the coordination of accounting and budgeting provide a depth-of accountant talent, arid lay a solid organizational foundation continued development and improvement of trc district's financial operations," it is argued.

Second, following the urging of state Department of Education consultants, is a recommeniiation.to hire an internal auditor directly responsible to Ferguson. The-ainrwould be constant monitoring of business iservices lo aim for the most efficient system. "Whenever the internal auditor determines procedures in the areas monitore'd are inadequate or deficient, it will be tlie responsibility of the internal auditor lo suggest appropriate procedures to be followed to provide the district with tire best and most efficient business practices possible," Ihc report says. Hiring of the internal auditor is recorh- mended for immediale implcmentalion, white Ferguson and Smutz say Ihc controller should be brought on board within two years. The reason for the delay is purely financial constraints, they say.

Savings in purchasing The school district, their report continues, has never tod a properly functioning purchasing department, and improvements could result in substantial which could pay for staff expansion. Currently there are only three purchasing clerks in addition to a purchasing agent and a junior buyer in the department. There has been a great deal of turnover in stnff in the past year because of working conditions. "Without additional help in this department, we will have continued turnover because, in our considered opinion, no one can continue to work under the pressure wliich has been on this department the past year without becoming physically ill, throwing up their hands jn despair quitting," the report says. Recommended-is hiring of on additional purchasing clerk.

The report also cites examples of the kinds of savings that can be achieved if staffing if proper purchasing methods can be implemented. Ijst year's bid on bus tires, the report says, represented a savings of SI.C24 because 'Specifications written for the purchase were described by the successful bidder as Ihe best he had ever seen. Ferguson and Smutz, in urging board action on their recommendations by July 27, bluntly told trustees the money spent on years of audits, studies and investigations will have been wasted without implcmenla-' lion. They quote 1 one expert this way in the report: "There is no surer or commoner way of wasting money on consultants than by paying for surveys, reports and recommendations and ten doing nothing about them." by ixal lift dtpaMmenlj Ihc 24-tar puifwJ endinq al 8 a.m. yesterday: UNION CITY 1:11 a.m., 3JSW Ninlh 51..

p.m. crrtK by Royal Ar.r* Drive. gran ere. behind 32 114 TreFiy OxJ'l, lire. p.m., OIK ol Ihc Rosaiy chrch, Street, djmpMer Irre.

a.m.. Sixth and Slrwli. irdss lire. 12:44 a Boulevard and May PC, id, hAysliKk lire. FREMONT 9:20 a.m., JFW Appiettood SL.

irw fjie. 363S odor. lire. g-A5i r.rp. Htvd qraw liit.

2:08 p.m.. Gftonmer Bsuievari and Averjc, f.re. 1 24 p.m, JWOi FIWXK-I lalw alarm. lice fire. p.m..

Wssion Bculevdnj a-vd Avpntjt'. bf ovon train. 3:31 p.m, Park build nq f.ic. p.m.. 4tUl domptttr p.m., DYlvf and Drive, lire.

6:19 p.m., Frtnwnt Blvd. dumpskr Fire. 7:52 p.m., 4036 Qctloveria Cojrl. 3WOI Stale first 8'3? p.m., iW3 Cotrl. yrxAc invcilnjitKHi.

O.m.. Fremcrl Wvd a'd p.m JWJ Skian re- p.m Npmrporl Df ire and Dela- wait Drive, grass lirp. a.m., f3oulevard d-xl Warm Sprfngs inveiligalf dLkxnotxie lire. NEWARK 2: '9 p.m.. Sycamore a.id Scuih- rncnl 7:17 p.m..

Jdrvh Avenue and NimiU Frwrvay. q'JM Fire. 3W3J Cherry liril f.rTJ. liajelnul Drive, iirsl akJ. p.m..

JW Olive in vest" gai ion. DfV. OF FOHEiTRY SUNtM. 3:73 Scicl Road, juM norlh ol Cocpman Road, vehicle lire. Police blotter FREMONT Burgljrin Residence of Bil'k: Jo Ritha-th.

Warm Spr.ngs Blvd. A po.ver mower tfok-ntrom 9,1 rage over vvffVcnd cl Vitttria Smith. 32U Ave. forfT aid oie ikalrtoai'tf sit'rn From unlocked yuatjc Residence ol Cecil L. Mooie, -U3' Cenlrsl QoJd rinyi.

one lour amends, the olnei ciamc'xli. loss Si.150. stolen Tuesday. Vehkfc rI Pacilk Coasl ol UNlWer. A S3.8W dual Vieel yellow equ pmenl Iral'er Holen VJedoesday Irom let al Plants.

JWS FiemorJ Blvd. HF.V;AHC Fireitone lioin new unoc- MW San decV and S3W stole ce Icroy MJ PeoVo. IV, stereo I radto, electric typewriter, ever weeVcnd. Them Vehicle cl Chad A tt(0 KaA.ts.iVi 5toten Irom batkydrd al Ac-ioa Si. over weeVend, Vehicle cl Shc.Tp-va'* Auloand Bodr.

i'50 Ford 36000 Fremorl Monday. Veh'ele ol loyal Cro'lcy parked in Ircn cl JTt'C Road. S3S3 worlh of looH Sls'en From un'OCked r-ornpa-tmenl WC'VlaY. Aartco CcnsViKtrc.t Co. waler iruch parted at DriKcli Road and Mission Bcu'evard iron rrleaw valves ard 20 feet cl lire hose, loss over v.ee*-end.

Iftmgrra Homes, OWE I. slo'c cupied VA'flTCHldT. Vehicle oJ ftrs. Warsh, 6122 Gecrqc 51. deck and lopes stolen Tuesday.

Ihelli ol Mrs. Thompson, stolen in Front o( IhrLfly slore WedTCSddY- Reisdence cl Polls. Central ancjiooard motor a-xl boat cover stolen Tueddr. UNIOfl CITY cl Waiton S'JS, stc'pn at Frcdi and Vitkuia June 2t. B'Cyr'ciof toss stolen Wednesday Irom Alvaraflo Mi'dOle Sfhoo).

Vchide ol Jack- CiKO, Sar.fa Anna Way, tape deck, and radio iWcn Wsflne sddy. Deputy may be re-hired District, ex-aide agree UNION CITY The New- Haven school district and a former teacher's aide both gave a little in a settlement of a 5'A-year-old suspension and firing. School trustees agreed Tuesday to make a settlement payment of JB.228 to Chabela Gomez, 34, of Union City. Mrs. Gomez was suspended on Dec.

14,1971, after she left her job al Decoto Elementary School to' participate in a march'supporting the building of Cesar Chavez Junior High School, which was never constructed. Mrs. Gomez had originally sought both reinstatement and back pay, but dropped her request for reinstatement. She now is a General employe. The settlement from the district includes interest and court costs.

After Mrs. Gomez was suspended, she appealed the decision and a superior court judge ruled in 1972 that she was entitled to a due process hearing to learn the reasons for dismissal and if she was dismissed for exercising her constitutional rights. The due process hearing was conducted by a state Church dispute unsettled HAYWARD Settlement of the dispute between two opposing groups of members of Trinity Episcopal Church, 1798 has been delayed for at least one more week. Oakland attorney Samuel Wagener, representing the group calling itself Ihe Committee for the Proleclipn of Parishioners' Rights, said another hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday in Alameda County Court. In the meantime, Wagener said, the committee will draft a plan for voting on issues affecting the church and submit it lo the court for review.

The specific issues, which include the ordination of women and withdrawal from the Episcopal Diocese of California and Ihe national church body, are not being debated, committee members say. Their only demand is thai the issues be submitted to the entire church membership for a vote. The church's rector, Ihe Rev. Graham Lesser, the wardens and vestry members originally maintained that they alone had Ihe authority to vote on the issues. However, since the committee sought- legal recourse, the vestry members have agreed lo a congregational vote.

hearing officer who ruled that she was "derelict" in her duties by wilfully neglecting to i her obligations without justification. Cause existed then for her dismissal, the 'referee determined. The school board, which had the right to accept or reject his accepted it in December 1974. Her attorneys from the Legal Aid Society of-Alamcda County filed a writ of mandate with the Alameda County-Superior Court. Attorney Frank Roesch said Mrs.

Gomez ori- ginally planned to challenge the district with regard lo rights of non-tenured faculty, such as a'teacher's aide. Because of other federal "judicial Roesch said the reinstatement was dropped. But Mrs. Gomez continued to press her claim of back pay from the time of dismissal until her due process hearing. Several months ago an Alameda County superior court judge awarded the back pay and the district and Legal Aid have been working out the details.

A veteran of the sheriff's department, dis charged last April for alleged abuse of a llayward youth arrested (in marijuana and assault cliarges, will be re-, hired by l.he sheriff's department, if fie wants the job. Sheriff Tom Houchins said he will re-hire Deputy Eddie West, Fremont in accordance wilh a directive from the County Civil Service Board. The board ruled Wednesday that West should be reinstated without laack pay. Three other deputies, allegedly involved in the incident for which West was fired are to be suspended 15 days withoul pay, the board said. West fired by Houchins a i i a Gouveia, 27, Bruce U.

Manning, 27, and Dennis J. Lewis, 28, were ordered suspended after an internal investigation by the sheriff's department, i The deputies' suspeasions' were held in abeyance pending Ihe outcome of their.ap- peal to the civil service board. not identify the Haywara youth, whom he said was arrested hy Manning and Lewis for marijuana possession, assault and resist. ing arrest. The youth, along with Ihc deputies, sustained minor in-juries during the arrest.

He was taken to an Eden substation holding cell after receiving medical attention. Once there, according to Houchins, the youth'was taken from the by West and subjected to verbal abuse by the deputies. The civil service board based its action on findings of fact and recommendations prepared by Castro Valley at: tomey Larry Goodman, who served as hearing officer for "appeals of the disciplinary pc-. 'tion filed by the four officers. State reimburses county Alameda County has received from the stale as lo offset taxes it tost because of lands designated for so-called open space in UK 1976-77 fiscal year.

The reimbursement program was established by the 1972 legislature to recompense local governments for revenues lost because of lower assessed value on property qualifying for open space in accordance with the California Lands Conservalion Act of 1965. The City of Fremont received $10,900 and Newark received S377. Death'ivas not drug overdose UNION CITY John Poppcnk, 27, of Union City, died last month of septic shock and pulmonary artery thrombosis due to bronchial pneumonia, not a' possible drug overdose as originally reported by the Alameda County coroner's oSfice. Poppenk died 5 at Highland Hospital in Oakland.Mr. Poppenk's- family said lie hud not been on any drugs or medication and was taken to the hospital with what'lhey had been told was FURNITURE Handsome accent pieces in black, brushed gold orverdigreen wrought iron The circular eUjere, 74" tall Our exclusive interpretation of an authentic European decor with glass shelves for your objets d'art.

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