SOMIS : D.A. Interviews School Officials

The Ventura County district attorney’s office is interviewing Somis parents and school officials in response to a recall group’s request that the grand jury conduct a probe into the Somis school board, Somis parents said.

James A. Reynolds, a former board member of 16 years and a member of the committee that wants to recall three board members, said he was questioned recently by Deputy Dist. Atty. Donald Coleman, legal counsel to the grand jury. He declined further comment.

The three members named in the Dec. 15 recall election are Dr. Miguel Mejia, Debbie Carpenter and Alda Perry.

Board member Bob Fulkerson said Coleman has tried to arrange meetings with him in recent weeks, but scheduling conflicts have prevented it.

Former Supt. Dale Forgey said he wanted to wait to comment until county officials decided whether to release any information. It was his termination by the board that triggered the recall effort.

Coleman would neither confirm nor deny that either the grand jury or the district attorney’s office is conducting an investigation into the school board.

“It would be inappropriate for me to comment on what the grand jury is doing,” Coleman said.

Coleman confirmed that he sent a letter last week to parent Linda Bushong, acknowledging receipt of correspondence she sent to Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury.

Bushong had sent a copy of the letter that the recall committee, Parents For Quality Education, had sent to the grand jury, asking them to investigate activities of the school board.

“I want what’s best for the kids,” Bushong said.

Elizabeth Gruttadaurio, a recall committee member, said the letter to the grand jury urged an investigation into whether the school board had violated the Brown Act on numerous occasions and inappropriately terminated Forgey’s contract.