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GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CX, NO. IX
THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2025
atascaderonews.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
Faculty members, union reps voice concerns about AUSD candidate officials from the two unions Many fear retribution representing AUSD employees for speaking out against spoke about the superintendent apparent hopeful for search, which was listed on the superintendent position meeting agenda as a possible By MIKE CHALDU
(From left) Chefs Justin Alvarez, Gregg Wangard, Jorge Magdonal, Jeffry Wiesinger, Nick Nolan, Evan Hoffman, and Mike Espy vied for the top awards at the Cioppino and Vino fundraiser for the Paso Robles Children’s Museum. Photos by Camille DeVaul/ATN
Local chefs cook up success at Cioppino & Vino fundraiser
Seven chefs competed for top honors at the annual Paso Robles Children’s Museum event By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
NORTH COUNTY — Seven chefs competed at the Paso Robles Event Center for the coveted Judges Choice and People’s Choice awards at the annual Cioppino & Vino fundraiser benefiting the Paso Robles Children’s Museum. Over 100 guests gathered together on
Sunday, March 2, for the museum’s largest fundraiser of the year, with proceeds supporting the museum’s programs and daily operations. The event featured cioppino tasting from local chefs, wine tasting, cheese and wine pairings, and live and silent auctions, with all proceeds going directly to the museum. Cioppino was made by local chefs, with each
putting their own unique touch on the dish. The cioppino was tasted by a panel of judges, with one winner coming out on top. Additionally, Chefs vied for the guests’ votes to win the People’s Choice Award. This year’s competing chefs were: • Justin Alvarez of Big Spoon Little Spoon • Jeffry Wiesinger of Jeffry’s
Wine Country BBQ • Gregg Wangard of Kelle Co To Go • Nick Nolan of Trumpet Vine Catering • Evan Hoffman of Brick & Mortar Catering Company • Jorge Magdonal of Sabor & Sazon • Mike Espy of Thomas Hill Organics
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ATASCADERO — The Atascadero Unified School District Board of Trustees started its regular meeting at 7 p.m. on March 4, and spent a good part of it hearing comments about what was happening during the previous closed session: Supposedly, talks about Assistant Superintendent E.J. Rossi being considered to replace outgoing Superintendent Tom Butler. Butler announced in September 2024 that he would retire at the end of this school year. The board began the process to find Butler’s successor in October 2024 and during the Nov. 7, 2024, meeting selected the Leadership Associates firm to conduct the search for the new superintendent. Rossi is the assistant superintendent for educational services, and apparently has emerged as a top candidate for Butler’s position. He came to the district in 2007 as the assistant principal at Atascadero High School, soon moved up to principal, and was promoted to AUSD administration in 2015. Earlier at 5 p.m., before the board went into closed session,
topic in closed session. Laine Hoppert, who works in Food Services for the district, came as a steward for the California School Employees Association, representing the AUSD classified employees. Andrew Weatherly, a mechanics and welding teacher at AHS, is president of the Atascadero District Teachers Association. Hoppert spoke first addressing the superintendent search, and mentioning that many of the employees under Rossi’s supervision are under her umbrella as a union steward and that she has heard “questions, concerns, and complaints” about working under the candidate, and that most are reluctant to speak at the meeting because they fear the “possibility of retaliation.” “That blows me away; I don’t understand it,” Hoppert said. “Anyone should be able to come here tonight and talk to all of you, and voice their concerns. I’d rather the people who were talking to me were here tonight talking to you.” Hoppert said some of the classified employees who fall under the ed services umbrella have come to her with “overwhelming CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Local educators rally against potential Department of Education dismantling
Paso Robles teachers and community members protest federal cuts, while a Trump supporter seeks common ground By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
Gabi Ramsey surged over the final 500 meters to claim victory in the mile run at the Atascadero High School Memorial Meet on Saturday, March 1, finishing strong with a 5:27 — an early-season mark that qualifies her for CIF in May. Bella Tomasini followed closely, taking second with a stellar 5:29. Photo courtesy of Greyhound Distance Club
Atascadero track stars shine at Memorial Meet rial Meet on Saturday, March 1. Local athletes shine In the mile run, Gabi Ramsey in baseball, softball, tennis, and track events surged over the final 500 meters
to claim victory with a time of 5:27 — an early-season mark that qualifies her for the CIF NORTH COUNTY — meet in May. Bella Tomasini Atascadero High School’s track followed closely behind, finishand field team delivered stand- ing second with a strong 5:29. out performances at the MemoCONTINUED ON PAGE A2 By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
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NORTH COUNTY — At the beginning of February, national news outlets reported that President Donald Trump’s administration was working on an executive order that would direct the secretary of education to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education — and local educators are worried about how it will affect their districts. The reports of the dismantling began with an ABC News article (abcnews.go.com/Politics/trumporder-dismantle-educationdepartment-works-sources/ story?id=118418280&utm) that said they received the information from, “sources briefed on drafts of the order that have circulated among top administration officials.”
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Demonstrators display signs supporting education funding during the Paso Robles Public Educators rally by Paso Robles City Park on Tuesday, May 4. Photo by Camille DeVaul/ATN
According to their report, the proposed order is expected to have the education secretary submit a proposal for dismantling the department and for Congress to pass legislation to get rid of it. The United States Department of Education (DOE) was first founded by President Jimmy Carter in 1979. It is responsible for federal education policy, fund-
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ing, and accountability. They also conduct research, collect data, and advocate for education reform. Atascadero News reached out to San Luis Obispo County Superintendent James Brescia, Ed.D., for comment on the potential dismantlement. He responded with the following statement: “Education is primarily a function of the state government.
In California, approximately 8% [to] 10% of the money for TK-12 schools comes from the federal budget. The remainder of funding for San Luis Obispo County Schools comes from state taxes: 60%, local taxes 30%, and the lottery 1%. “Most federal funding to local schools supports programs such CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
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