NEW CLUB RECOMMENDED FOR BOARD
PARENTS/COWARD CLUB
The following statement was read by President Bengel following the action by the Board at the February 13, 2002 Board Meeting in relation to the Gay / Straight Alliance Club at Clovis High School:
Federal law, including the Equal Access Act, requires that school districts allowing school clubs on campuses treat those clubs equally without regard to the particular viewpoint of the club. In approving the Gay Straight Alliance Club for the Clovis High School campus, the Clovis Unified School District applies the Equal Access Act without making any statement for or against the viewpoint of the Gay Straight Alliance Club. Clovis Unified School District is satisfied that the Gay Straight Alliance Club Constitution, which advocates nonviolence, anti‑discrimination and anti‑harassment, and which does not provide for teaching of issues related to sex or sex education, is in compliance with the provisions of law requiring the District’s approval. The Clovis Unified School District will work diligently to ensure that all of its clubs stay within the bounds of the Equal Access Act and all laws. Other than the determination that it is legally required to approve the club, the District’s actions should not be interpreted as any indication of the District’s, or any individual Board member’s, views regarding the Club.
Governing Board |
Sandra A. Bengel, President
Susan M. Walker, D.H. Sc., Vice President
Dr. Jim Van Volkinburg, Clerk
Brian D. Heryford, Member
Ginny L. Hovsepian, Member
Richard Lake, C,P.A., Member
Elizabeth "Betsy" Sandoval, Member
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Sandra A. Bengel Member Phone: (559) 432-4995 Fax: (559) 447-1020 SandyBengel@clovisusd.k12.ca.us Ms. Bengel credits her active volunteerism in her daughters' classrooms with putting her on the road to the school board seat she has occupied for seven years. Serving in her second term, she is committed to continuing the tradition of excellence associated with CUSD. "It's a pleasure serving on the Board of such an outstanding district," Bengel says of her tenure on CUSD's governing board. A graduate of Dos Palos High School, Ms. Bengel received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Fashion Merchandising from California State University, Fresno. She is a local small business owner and, in the past, Ms. Bengel has been active in the Jr. League of Fresno, California Women for Agriculture, City of Hope and various District committees. Once awarded CUSD's Volunteer of the Year, she looks forward to continuing her service to the District's students in the coming years. Term Expires 2002 |
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Susan M. Walker, D.H. Sc. Member Voice: (559) 281-8871 SusanWalker@clovisusd.k12.ca.us Involvement in parent clubs, School Assessment and Review Teams (SART) and the Superintendent's Advisory Committee led Susan Walker to her current position on the Governing Board. In the midst of her third term, Dr. Walker feels that the Board's responsibility is to maintain a sense of unity among the community. "We are all in this together and want the best for our kids," she says about her board colleagues. Raised in Southern California, Dr. Walker received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from University of California, Riverside, a Masters of Public Health from Loma Linda University and a Doctorate of Health Science, also from Loma Linda. Working in the Nutrition and Health Science industry, raising her family and maintaining her school board responsibilities assure her an active and fulfilling schedule. "I like living in a place where family and tradition mean something," she says of Clovis and its residents. Term Expires 2004 |
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Dr. Jim Van Volkinburg Clerk Phone: (559) 299-8994 Fax: 439-9126 vanvol@pacbell.net An active parent club member and booster while his three children were in school, Dr. Jim Van Volkinburg's interest in the Governing Board stemmed from a desire to sustain the high-quality programs his children had benefited from while attending Clovis schools. Currently serving his second term on the school board, he also maintains a 26-year old periodontal practice in the Fresno/Clovis area. In addition to his school board activities, Dr. Van Volkinburg is a member of the Fresno-Madera Dental Society, American Dental Association, California Dental Association, California Society of Periodontics and the American Academy of Periodontology. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from California State University, Sacramento; his D.D.S. degree from Creighton University of Omaha, Nebraska, and his periodontic specialty certificate from the University of California at San Francisco's Medical Center. "We have a really unique school district, from our students, to our employees, to our community," he says of his experience on the governing board. "It is our job to maintain and improve the high standards the community has come to expect of CUSD." Term Expires 2002 |
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Brian D. Heryford Member Heryford Insurance: (559) 323-8091 Residence: (559) 299-4586 Fax: (559) 323-8095 BrianHeryford@clovisusd.k12.ca.us Serving his fifth year on the Governing Board, Brian Heryford has seen his involvement in the school district grow along with his children. Progressing from Parent Club President and Booster at the elementary and intermediate school level, Mr. Heryford ran for election to the school board in 1995. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business from the University of Santa Clara and has run his own insurance company for the past 23 years. Mr. Heryford is active in a number of community organizations, including the Clovis Kiwanis, the Clovis Rodeo Association, Clovis Chamber of Commerce and the local Boy Scouts. "Clovis Unified is a great district and I want to keep it that way," he said in regard to his work with the Governing Board. Term Expires 2004 |
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Ginny L. Hovsepian Member Phone: (559) 434-8272 Fax: (559) 433-1576 GinnyHovsepian@clovisusd.k12.ca.us CUSD enjoys community support that extends generation to generation. Ginny Hovsepian, a fourth generation school board member, represents this tradition on the Governing Board. Graduating from Clovis High School, Ms. Hovsepian obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in research psychology at California State University, Fresno. She has also completed graduate level work at CSUF and University of Nevada. A lifelong resident of Clovis Unified, Ms. Hovsepian chose to pursue a position on the school board after being active in the District's parent clubs for a number of years. She is currently serving her tenth year on the board and is in the midst of her third term. Term Expires 2004 |
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Richard Lake, C.P.A. Member Phone: (559) 323-9000 Residence: (559) 298-4213 Fax: (559) 323-9435 richardlcpa@sbcglobal.net Richard Lake, a Certified Public Accountant for the past 23 years, is currently serving his ninth year on the District Governing Board. After attending elementary school in Clovis Unified School District and graduating from Clovis High School in 1969, Lake feels he has a long-term investment in the District. A graduate of California State University, Fresno with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, he returned to the area in 1980 to raise his children in the same school district he attended. "We have a community that desires their children to obtain a unique educational experience," he says of the Clovis area. Mr. Lake also serves on the Joint Powers Board for the Center for Advanced Research and Technology. Term Expires 2004 |
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Elizabeth "Betsy" Sandoval Member voice: (559) 299-9781 fax: (559) 299-9723 BetsySandoval@clovisusd.k12.ca.us A long-time Clovis resident and Clovis High School graduate, Betsy Sandoval maintains a career in the insurance industry as insurance agent in addition to her school board duties. Raising three children in Clovis schools, she has seen all three return to work for the District. While serving in her seventeenth year with the Governing Board, Ms. Sandoval also is a member of the Clovis Chamber of Commerce, American Legion Auxiliary, Clovis Community Hospital Guild, and the Clovis Drug Abuse Council. Like many of our school board members, her interest in Clovis Unified began when her children attended elementary school and expanded from Parent Club involvement to her election to the Governing Board in 1981. After taking a two-year hiatus from 1993 to 1995, Ms. Sandoval returned to the Board in February 1996. Term Expires 2002 |
"It's a normal thing to be afraid of someone who is different than we are. The more that you get to know people ..., the more comfortable you'll be around them," parent Tom Laury said to the board. "This is what the purpose of this club is. It's about learning to get along with fellow human beings."