Jones denies supporting recall of school board member

Los Banos Unified School District Board Trustee Tommy Jones said he is not supporting the recall efforts against Trustee John Mueller.

The statement clarified an earlier comment he made to the Los Banos Enterprise, when he spoke favorably about the campaign.

Jones on Monday said he never supported it and also said he’s never made any statements indicating his support.

“No, I don’t support it. It has nothing to do with my district,” Jones said Monday.

Jones on Tuesday declined to comment further about his position and hung up the telephone.

Mueller said he doesn’t believe Jones.

“There is no doubt in my mind whatsoever that Tommy Jones is 100 percent for my recall,” Mueller said, adding that he believes Jones is a member of the Community Advocacy Coalition, the group leading the recall effort, and is as involved as other coalition members.

Mueller said Baldo Salcido, a CAC advocate, sent him a text message stating that Jones isn’t involved in the recall effort.

“There would be no reason to make a statement of not making a statement if that wasn’t true,” Mueller said.

Salcido confirmed that he sent the text message. Jones told Salcido he is not involved in the recall effort because it would be unethical for a board member to be actively campaigning for or against another board member’s recall, according to Salcido.

“As part of the CAC, I wouldn’t accept the help of any board member,” Salcido said.

When asked if Jones is a coalition member, Salcido said CAC isn’t necessarily a group to be a part of, but a network of people that those running for office look to for support.

“For people to try and tie other people to CAC, it’s basically an organization that tries to help out (addressing problems),” Salcido said.

The recall is one of many issues the deeply divided school district board is facing.

Jones and three other trustees, Marlene Smith, Dominic Falasco and Carole Duffy have voted as a majority on numerous issues in recent months, with Mueller and trustees Anthony Parriera and Dennis Areias making up a minority bloc.

Those issues include the lease-leaseback construction method used for Creekside Junior High School and supporting the controversial hire of Greg Opinski Construction as the construction manager for a $7 million Mercey Springs Elementary expansion.

Members of the majority also have expressed support in hiring for more diversity in the district’s ranks and increasing student test scores.

The members of the board minority have said the district is on track and student achievement is progressing upward.

The school district is also reeling from the arrests of a teacher and a former teacher turned school resource officer. Both have pleaded not guilty to charges of having sexual relationships with Los Banos High School students.

Falasco also has faced legal troubles after his arrest in April on suspicion of drug possession. Falasco denied the charge and said he plans to fight it.

After the recall election on Aug. 23, the Nov. 8 presidential ballot includes election of the school board seats of Jones, Duffy and Falasco.

This story was originally published August 9, 2016 at 3:57 PM with the headline "Jones denies supporting recall of school board member."