Letter: Vote for school board candidate Leo Castillo
To the editor,
– Last night, our Rotary Club had the opportunity to listen to Leo Castillo tell us why he is running for the 6th District trustee position for the PRJUSD School Board. He is a past member of our club and was very much involved in many of our activities.
Knowing Leo’s background of being in the service for 22 years, a member and past president of the Paso Robles Youth Arts Center, board member of the Boys and Girls Club of the Central Coast, and a planning commissioner with the City of Paso Robles there is no doubting his dedication to the Paso Robles community! When he sees a need, he asks himself what he can do to help, which is why he is now running for the trustee position of the 6th District. He is not afraid to ask the tough questions and hold accountable those that are part of a problem and then try to work together to better the situation.
While at Almond Acres, Leo was the Student Affairs Coordinator and did an excellent job of helping to provide options to those who needed guidance and/or discipline as opposed to suspension/expulsion. This turned out to be a much more beneficial plan for all involved, especially for the students and their parents. When the Army came calling again, the offer to return to Camp Roberts was one that he could not turn down so he resigned from Almond Acres and now works as a civilian contractor at Camp Roberts.
If you know Leo, you know how committed he is to undertaking a project and for no other reason, this alone speaks to how well he would perform as the trustee for Area 6!
Steve Baker
City Paso Robles
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I have a great deal of respect for Mr. Baker. However, I cannot say the same about the candidate he supports, Leo Castillo. During his brief tenure at Almond Acres, he refused a donation of books from the Rotary Club of Paso Robles. He was also rude to one Rotarian, standing her up for an appointed meeting to distribute the books, and then speaking in a demeaning manner to another Rotarian who tried to rectify the situation.
It should be noted that students who receive these books are thrilled and excited to have them, and many of them retain them through their high school years. Nevertheless, Mr. Castillo unilaterally chose not to allow the donation. The situation only changed when a parent complained and had the administration intercede on the students’ behalf. Mr. Castillo clearly was not acting in the best interests of the students. He should not be trusted to be in a position to make decisions on their behalf.
By contrast, Adelita Hiteshew has spent countless unpaid hours devoted to helping students in the schools. She does have their best interests at heart, and she will do the right thing to support the students. Please vote for Adelita Hiteshew.
I have a great deal of respect for Mr. Baker. However, I cannot say the same about the candidate he supports, Leo Castillo. During his brief tenure at Almond Acres, he refused a donation of books from the Rotary Club of Paso Robles. He was also rude to one Rotarian, standing her up for an appointed meeting to distribute the books, and then speaking in a demeaning manner to another Rotarian who tried to rectify the situation.
It should be noted that students who receive these books are thrilled and excited to have them, and many of them retain them through their high school years. Nevertheless, Mr. Castillo unilaterally chose not to allow the donation. The situation only changed when a parent complained and had the administration intercede on the students’ behalf. Mr. Castillo clearly was not acting in the best interests of the students. He should not be trusted to be in a position to make decisions on their behalf.
By contrast, Adelita Hiteshew has spent countless unpaid hours devoted to helping students in the schools. She does have their best interests at heart, and she will do the right thing to support the students. Please vote for Adelita Hiteshew.