Arroyo Vista's controversial principal Elaine Hart "retires" abruptly
The announcement came mid-term, without prior notice and with only a flimsy "to-pursue-other-opportunities" excuse, suggesting Hart actually "retired" to avoid imminent termination. She leaves a legacy of an over-built school, wasted millions and a bitterly divided community. In the face of overwhelming community opposition, Hart helped champion the ill-conceived Arroyo Vista school expansion in one of the most dishonest, partisan campaigns in CUSD history. Hart was notorious for playing favorites, covering up district wrongs and openly targeting district critics for retaliation. She helped Fleming co-opt a corrupt and politicized PTA that continues to misinform parents and obstruct true district reform. Hart's departure is an overdue, but welcome step in the right direction.
CUSD Trustee Benecke Caught Improperly Speaking for Board Without Authorization
• National, state and council PTAs deny "joining" or supporting Arroyo Vista PTA's improper and illegal political campaign.
• State PTA orders Arroyo Vista PTA to cease and desist.
Documents | Going Going Gone | Photos Read More...
Superintendent Fleming’s Real Legacy
A. Immediate Disciplinary Action Must Be Taken.
Very serious allegations involving criminal activity have been leveled against Fleming (and possibly the Trustees). An overwhelming amount
of evidence supporting these allegations has been made public. Given these facts, we believe Fleming cannot be allowed to serve another day as the Superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School District. Read More...
$65,000,000 Measure A Bond: Fraud, Conspiracy, Misuse of Public Funds, Conflicts of Interest, Brown Act Violations
• 25% of funds improperly diverted to Fleming pet
project
• District employee improperly chaired Oversight
Committee meeting
• Oversight Committee disbanded with $20 million
still unspent
• Oversight Committee members had financial conflicts
of interest
• More Brown Act violations
On November 2, 1999,
voters approved Measure A – a $65,000,000 bond
measure designed to repair and modernize aging
schools, bring them up to current earthquake
standards, build four new schools, including a new
middle school in San Juan Capistrano and a new high
school, and new classrooms throughout the district to
relieve overcrowding and solve problems associated
with portables, which had covered so many
playgrounds, the children lacked places to play.
The ballot measure (and legal bond documents)
required that an “Independent” Oversight Committee be
established to supervise spending of the bond
proceeds. That Oversight Committee was convened on
December 15, 1999 when CUSD appointed eleven (11)
members. After carefully reviewing the ballot measure
and minutes from the Oversight Committee meetings, it
appears that CUSD officials made numerous false
statements to the public and to Oversight Committee
members, several committee members had financial
conflicts of interest, and Brown Act violations
occurred.
RSM Councilmember Thompson weighs in on Arroyo Vista Park joint use issue: City should step in to protect residents
• Residents - please respect SAMLARC’s decision to protect Arroyo Vista Park
Councilmember, City of Rancho Santa Margarita
Thank you Mayor, members of the council.
I have requested this item tonight for discussion, quite frankly, because I continue to be deeply disturbed by the tenor of animosity within this community that has overcome what should be a respectful, civil dialogue over accessibility to Arroyo Vista Park. The deep hostility that has manifested itself within the residents of this community, pitting neighbor against neighbor, friend against friend, and child against child, can no longer be tolerated by this city. When people are being threatened, intimidated and harassed, we as our city’s leaders, must be diligent in our efforts in bringing this issue to resolution.
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Draper makes sarcastic remarks to anti-school expansion crowd
Trustee Draper made this sarcastic remark to rebut the crowd's vocal disapproval of the district's proposed expansion of Arroyo Vista School at the March 9, 2003 Board of Trustees meeting, where local residents made public comments unanimously opposing the district's expansion plans. The meeting was carefully controlled by district officials to avoid discussion of the actual issues of concern to residents (i.e., overbuilding on such a small school site, unsafe traffic and other impacts on the local community, increased usage of the adjacent community park, etc.). Public speakers were kept to one minute instead of the usual three minutes for public comments to squelch community input. Those who tried to speak were met with sharp reminders from officials that the evening's discussion was centered on K-8s in general, not Arroyo Vista in particular, thus effectively killing the issues that were of real concern. Draper's comment was rebuffed with defiant applause from the Arroyo Vista crowd who opposed the intrusive changes proposed by the board and staff for their school, neighborhood and park.