Breaking News

November 2010

November 5, 2010 ELECTION ANALYSIS: Voters Continue to Entrust CUSD Control to Reform Trustees -- Union Fails to Gain Board Majority Despite Spending $350,000 Our CUSD Reform Trustees Anna Bryson and Ellen Addonizio each won decisive victories on Election Day -- thereby stopping the union takeover attempt. The teachers union and their so-called “Children First” group spent more than $350,000 in their failed effort to elect a new pro-union majority. However, they did elect three union-backed candidates: John Alpay, Gary Pritchard and Lynn Hatton. The Board will be forced to cut 15 million more from the budget this year -- will these three union candidates attempt to further burden taxpayers with new parcel taxes and bond measures when union leaders come to them with their hands out for more?
READ the OC Register Editorial

November 3, 2010 REFORM TRUSTEES WIN ELECTION VICTORIES – AND STOPPED THE UNION TAKEOVER!!! Our CUSD Reform Trustees Anna Bryson and Ellen Addonizio each won decisive election victories yesterday -- thereby stopping the union takeover attempt. The teachers union and their so-called “Children First” group spent more than $350,000 in their failed effort to elect a new pro-union majority – an obscene amount of money for a local school board election. We thank the voters of South Orange County for continuing to entrust our CUSD Reform Trustees with a controlling majority on the CUSD Board of Trustees.
READ OC Register Analysis of Reform Trustee Victories
READ OC Register Election Night Coverage

November 2, 2010 ELECTION DAY: Voters Have Clear Choice - Conservative Reform Trustees or Union-Controlled Candidates The teachers union and their so-called “Children First” group have already spent more than $350,000 trying to buy control of CUSD – an obscene amount of money for a local school board election. Voters have a very simple choice -- They can continue to support the conservative incumbents and the policies they promote, or they can choose the candidates and positions that are endorsed and promoted by the teachers union. We urge you to choose the conservative incumbents.
• VOTE NO on the Union’s Recall of Winsten & Lopez Maddox
• VOTE NO on the Union’s Measure H
• RE-ELECT THE “ABC TRUSTEES” (Addonizio, Bryson & Christensen)
READ More...
READ Trustee Winsten's Open Letter
READ Trustee Bryson’s Open Letter

October 2010

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October 30, 2010 BREAKING NEWS: OC Register Confirms Union Effort to Buy Control of CUSD The OC Register story confirms the teachers union and their so-called “Children First” group have now spent more than $350,000 trying to buy control of CUSD – an obscene amount of money for a local school board election. The Union Slate is outspending the conservative incumbents by more than 16 to 1.
READ OC Register Story, Oct 30, 2010:
"Capo election spending soars, topping $374,000"
READ OC Register Story, Oct 26, 2010:
"Capo race spending surges to $267,282"
READ OC Register Story, Oct 19, 2010:
"Spending in Capo school board race hits $184,573"
READ the Red County Story:
"Teachers Union Spending Hits $350,000 in CUSD Takeover Attempt"

October 29, 2010 BREAKING NEWS: The Orange County Register Newspaper Urges Voters to Reject the Union Takeover The Orange County Register confirms that the teachers union and their union-backed supporters have spent more than $250,000 in an attempt to takeover the Capistrano Unified School District. The Orange County Register officially endorses the "ABC" Reform Slate. READ more:
OC Register Editorial 1 - Stop the Union Takeover
OC Register Editorial 2 - Vote "NO" on the Recall
OC Register Editorial 3 - Vote "NO" on Measure H

October 26, 2010 BREAKING NEWS: Teachers Union Running Massive, Illegal and Deceptive Campaign The powerful teachers union and its so-called “Children First” group have already spent an obscene amount of money (more than $245,000) on their unjust campaign to take control of our school district on Election Day. Even more troubling is their attempt to deceive the voters. Supporters of the teachers union have published several bogus newspaper ads, and thousands of deceptive flyers, trying to trick Republican voters into believing the Teachers Union candidates are supported by the Republican Party. This is wrong!
SEE Copy of Bogus Political Ad
SEE Our Full Page “Voter Alert” Newspaper Ad
READ the Red County Summary
LISTEN to Republican Party Chairman’s Urgent Voter Alert:

October 23, 2010 BREAKING NEWS: Video of CUSD Public Debate – Union Candidate Caught on Tape Making False & Misleading Statements to Voters The OC Register was there and published a story about this public debate. Our camera was also there so you could watch the video for yourself. Bottom line, the teachers union is attempting to takeover control of CUSD – and this video proves their candidates will say and do most anything in an effort to deceive voters.
WATCH VIDEO of Dishonest Union Candidate
WATCH VIDEO Admission of Union Manipulation
READ the Full Story
READ the Red County Story

October 21, 2010 BREAKING NEWS: OC Register Officially Urges Voters to VOTE NO on Union-Backed Recall in CUSD The OC Register just published a significant editorial against the union-backed recall effort in CUSD: “We urge voters in the South County school district to vote against the union-backed recall of two of the seven trustees, Ken Lopez Maddox and Mike Winsten, and prevent a possible union takeover from the board…the teachers' union actively supports the recall and a union website proclaims "This is our opportunity to elect our own bosses." Using the recall as a political maneuver to assert power undermines the democratic process.”
READ the Full OC Register Editorial
READ the Red County Story

September 2010

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September 28, 2010 OC Register Newspaper Officially Opposes Union’s “Measure H” – Admitted Union Effort “To Elect Our Own Bosses” The OC Register just published a significant editorial officially opposing “Measure H” – a ballot initiative promoted and supported by the public employee unions in Capistrano Unified School District which would change the way CUSD school board members are elected in the future. They confirm the union’s view Measure H as their “opportunity to elect our own bosses”!
READ the OC Register Editorial
READ the Red County Coverage

September 27, 2010 Cities of Rancho Santa Margarita and Mission Viejo Each Unanimously Adopt Resolution Against Union’s “Measure H” Ballot Initiative The Cities of Rancho Santa Margarita and Mission Viejo each just adopted a resolution officially opposing “Measure H” – a ballot initiative promoted and supported by the public employee unions in Capistrano Unified School District which would change the way CUSD school board members are elected in the future. Today voters in CUSD get 7 votes -- 1 for each of their school board members. If Measure H passes – voters would lose 6 of their votes.
READ the RSM Official Resolution
READ the OC Register Story re RSM
READ the details from Red County re RSM
READ the OC Register Story re Mission Viejo
READ the details from Red County re Mission Viejo

September 21, 2010 CUSD Reform Slate Garners Widespread Support and Coveted Endorsements Many prominent elected officials and organizations have come forward to support the courageous conservative CUSD Board Members and to officially oppose the union’s Measure H, including the California Republican Assembly, the Orange County Republican Party, the Lincoln Club, and the Family Action PAC.
READ the OC Republican Party Endorsement
READ the Red County Story (GOP)
READ California Republican Assembly Endorsement
READ the Red County Story (CRA)
READ the Endorsement List

September 7, 2010 City of Mission Viejo Unanimously Adopts Resolution Against Union’s “Measure H” Ballot Initiative The City of Mission Viejo just adopted a resolution officially opposing “Measure H” – a ballot initiative promoted and supported by the public employee unions in Capistrano Unified School District which would change the way CUSD school board members are elected in the future. Today voters in CUSD get 7 votes -- 1 for each of their school board members. If Measure H passes – voters would lose 6 of their votes.
READ the OC Register Story
READ the details from Red County

September 3, 2010 COURT VICTORY! Judge Dismisses All Three Union Lawsuits Against Reform Trustees All three cases brought by the so-called "Children First" coalition (a front for the public employees' union in CUSD) were rejected on the merits today, totally vindicating the truthfulness of the official ballot statements submitted by the reform trustees. READ the OC Register Story

September 1, 2010 COURT VICTORY! Judge Rules As A Matter of Law Leaders of the so-called “Children First” organization and their candidate John Alpay Made Illegal, False and Misleading Statements This afternoon, Orange County Superior Court Judge Kim Dunning upheld the charges filed against Erin Kutnick, Marilyn Amato and other leaders of the union-backed Children First organization, and against their candidate John Alpay. The court found they had each made illegal, false and misleading statements in the official ballot statements they submitted to the Orange County Registrar. The judge ordered their illegal statements stricken.
READ the OC Register Story printed after the court's ruling
READ the official Reform Petition against leadership of "Children First"
READ the official Reform Petition against Candidate Alpay
READ the OC Register Story printed prior to the court's ruling.

August 2010

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August 16, 2010 Pro-Union “Children First” Candidate John Alpay Sued Over Illegal Campaign Statements Today, a legal action was filed in Orange County Superior Court against John Alpay, one of the five candidates on the pro-union “Children First Coalition” slate seeking election to the Board of Trustees for Capistrano Unified School District (“CUSD”) in the November general election. The suit asks the superior court to sanction Alpay for making numerous false, misleading and illegal statements in his candidate statements filed with the OC Registrar. See official complaint, press release and news coverage.

July 2010

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July 14, 2010 Voters Have Clear Choice - Conservative Reform Trustees or Liberal Union Candidates Fran Sdao of the teacher union’s “Capistrano Unified Childrens First Coalition” and member of the South County Democratic Club announced the two candidates they are endorsing in the unjust union-backed effort to recall two of our great conservative Reform Trustees. The union candidates include Gary Pritchard, a failed Democratic Nominee for a State Senate seat in 2008 who ran with widespread union support on a platform calling for same sex marriage, increased rights to abortion and higher taxes. Pritchard's ballot statement was paid for by the ultra liberal publication “Daily Kos” and his wife writes for the equally liberal Huffington Post. Just as we suspected, liberal Democrat political operatives and union sympathizers trying to take control of our school district!
READ today's OC Register Story

July 6, 2010 Reform Board Victory - Board's Position on Teacher Union Strike Saved Cash-Strapped School District $1.7 Million! Congratulations to the Reform Board – today the OC Register confirmed the Board’s courage during the recent teachers union strike saved the cash-strapped school district $1.7 million dollars! When the Union leaders went on strike in April the elected Reform Trustees held their ground to protect the students and taxpayers. The union ultimately was forced to capitulate and give up their unreasonable demand that the contract cuts imposed by the Reform Board would expire automatically on a date certain. Unfortunately, they only did so after 2,200 teachers union members had abandoned their students and walked out on strike for three school days.
READ the OC Register Story

July 1, 2010 Voters Have Clear Choice - Conservative Reform Trustees or Liberal Union Candidates One by one, Fran Sdao of the teacher union’s so called “Children First" coalition and member of the South County Democratic Club introduced the five candidates they are endorsing in their effort to take over control of the CUSD Board of Trustees in the November General Election. They include a failed Democratic Nominee for a State Senate seat who ran with widespread union support on a platform calling for same sex marriage, increased rights to abortion and higher taxes; an 18 year old kid that just graduated from high school 35 days before he filed papers seeking to be elected; and an outspoken supporter and apologist for CUSD’s indicted former Superintendent James Fleming. Just as we suspected, liberal Democrat political operatives, union sympathizers and apologists for the former corrupt Fleming Regime trying to take control of our school district! READ More...

June 2010

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June 22, 2010 Outrage! Unjust Union-Backed Recall To Appear on November 2010 CUSD Ballots The OC Registrar of Voters confirmed today the CUSD public employee unions have succeeded in placing on the November ballot a recall of highly-respected CUSD Reform Trustees Ken Lopez-Maddox and Mike Winsten. The California Republican Assembly, the Orange County Republican Party, the Orange County Register and the Committee to Reform CUSD have all opposed this unjust union-backed recall campaign.
READ the OC Register Story
READ the California Republican Assembly’s Opposition
READ the OC Register’s Opposition
READ the OC Republican Party’s Opposition

June 10, 2010 Taxpayers Across America Rejecting Unions' Lavish Pensions & Perks

For years, teachers and other public sector unions benefited from the fact that taxpayers had no choice when it came to paying the ever increasing costs of union contracts– taxpayers were, in effect, “captive consumers.” Today, voters across America have rightfully become resentful as they sense that: (1) they are underwriting, through their taxes, a level of salary and benefits for teachers and government employees that is far better than what they and their families have; and (2) government services, from schools to the DMV, are simply not good enough—not for the citizen individually nor the public generally—to justify the high and escalating cost.
READ the First Amendment Coalition Column by Peter Scheer
READ Other Stories About Union Pensions and Unfunded Liabilities

June 8, 2010 New Film, 'The Lottery': Unions Destroying American Education A new documentary film is debuting this week entitled, "The Lottery." The film highlights the ever failing public education system we have in America today and how our children's future is being seriously harmed by greedy, uncaring teachers unions. As the trailer says, these unions are protecting failure in our schools… WATCH The Trailer

June 5, 2010 New Jersey Governor Chris Christie Tells It Like It Is: Teachers Unions Are the Real Bullies, Waging the Politics of Raw Power This is one of the most truthful four minute speeches you will ever see a prominent American politician give. NJ Gov. Chris Christie makes an important point: Fiscal conservatives and education reform advocates appreciate, respect, and cherish the work that the vast majority of public schoolteachers do. Educating future generations is an admirable pursuit that should be applauded. But teachers unions seek to manipulate the system in the interest of wielding power over taxpayers, school boards, parents, and students, all in the name of enriching themselves at the expense of others. This IS the struggle CUSD constituents face as the CUSD teachers union continues its dishonest, selfish war against our popularly elected Reform Trustees.

June 1, 2010 Reform Trustee Reveals How CUSD Teachers Union Postured In Bad Faith to Deceive Public and Smear Reform Board

Reform Trustee Larry Christensen reveals how the CUSD teachers union dishonestly postured throughout the collective bargaining process, distorting the truth to deceive the public, justify their unreasonable strike and smear the Reform Board who, unlike the union, followed the rules of engagement in their efforts to protect students, parents and taxpayers from unreasonable union demands in the face of our state's and our district's worst-ever financial crisis. READ the Newspaper Column

June 1, 2010 CUSD's Union Strike Makes National News - TV Report exposes the union's dishonest and selfish political agenda that hurt our students and unfairly targeted your fiscally responsible elected Board members

May 2010

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May 24, 2010 Teachers Unions Bankrupting American Education...and More! "Big labor unions have destroyed countless American industries, but these unions don’t just control factories and assembly lines. Our public education system is a slow-motion car crash, driven by the same union special interests that brought the auto companies to the brink of bankruptcy. This insightful new video shows how teachers unions protect bad and incompetent teachers, and block school reform efforts…"

May 20, 2010 Reality check: With unfunded liabilities and bankruptcies looming, CUSD reform trustees were right to say "NO" to union's unreasonable demands

School officials are effectively ignoring the mounting debt, the report concludes, and barring a drastic change of course, could end up bankrupting their districts or stiffing retirees on health benefits. The grand jury report recommends that every district immediately start reducing unfunded liabilities for retiree health benefits. It calls on every district to include a funding plan in its 2011-12 budget. "All of those involved – administrators, school boards teachers and unions – have a responsibility to resolve this problem…" READ The Sacramento Bee Article

May 20, 2010 CUSD union should heed conclusion of grand jury: "It is time for unions to become more of an advocate for children"

The Sacramento City Unified School District faces bankruptcy if its teachers union does not agree to contract concessions, according to a Sacramento County grand jury report released today. The report painted Superintendent Jonathan Raymond as a man on a mission to get district finances in order while improving programs for students. The Sacramento City Teachers Association received a critical review. "It is time for unions to become more of an advocate for children," the report states… READ The Sacramento Bee Article

May 18, 2010 Capo Unified teachers union part of growing problem of public employee unions flexing their muscles in local campaigns

The American public feels it is drowning in red ink. It is dismayed and even outraged at the burgeoning national deficits, unbalanced state and local budgets, and accounting that often masks the extent of indebtedness. There is a mounting sense that taxpayers are being taken for an expensive ride by public sector unions. The extraordinary benefits the unions have secured for their members are going to be harder and harder to pay... READ the Sacramento Bee Article

May 14, 2010 With CUSD's unfunded pension liabilities a whopping $48 million, the crippling price of public employee unions has become a problem for our own school district

April 2010

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April 27, 2010 Union Capitulates -- Strike Over!

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Union leaders last night finally gave up their unreasonable demand that the contract cuts imposed by the Reform Board would expire automatically on a date certain. Unfortunately, they only did so after 2,200 teachers union members had abandoned their students and walked out on strike for three school days. Congratulations to the Reform Board for this great victory and for standing up for the students, parents & taxpayers of CUSD!
LISTEN to KFI's John & Ken Analyze the Reform Board's Great Victory

April 27, 2010 Unions Seeking to Raise Your Taxes - by 40 Billion Dollars! California's public employee unions have proposed their solution to the state's enormous budget deficit -- THEY WANT TO RAISE YOUR TAXES! They want taxpayers to cough up an additional $40 billion in new taxes, including a 10-percent increase in the tax on alcohol, an additional $1.50 tax on cigarettes, extending sales tax to non-taxed service industries, boosting top income-tax brackets by 10 percent and 11 percent and increasing vehicle-license fees to the level they were before a 2003 reduction.
READ the Details Including:
An OC Register Editorial
A Sacramento Bee News Report

April 26, 2010 KTLA News Report: Teachers Union Strike Is Selfishly Hurting Students and Taxpayers

April 26, 2010 California Teachers Union Strike: N.E.A. Joins Fight to Push Liberal Union Agenda Throughout California ... and Beyond!

In the middle of the nation’s worst economic crisis since the great depression, with the State of California buckling under the weight of unprecedented budget deficits that have crippled the ability of local cities and school districts to provide basic services to their constituents … 2,200 members of the teachers union in the 9th largest school district in California have abandoned their students and walked out on strike! The seven conservative republican trustees serving on the Capistrano Unified Board of Trustees are under attack by their local teachers union, as well as the powerful California Teachers Association (CTA) and now, the National Education Association (NEA). Our seven courageous trustees need the immediate support of all conservatives from across the country who are sick and tired of the abuses and undue influence exerted by the powerful public employee unions. What’s really going on here?
READ the Answer Here

April 24, 2010 CUSD Union Strike Closely Watched Across State! About 100 school districts across the state, including three in Orange County, are at impasse with their teachers unions -- unable to hash out employment contracts, and the state assigning mediators to each. CUSD has accelerated past all of those other districts, becoming the first district in California this year to be confronted with a teacher strike.
READ the OC Register Story

April 24, 2010 KFI Radio Commentators Bill Handel and John & Ken Condemn CUSD Public Employee Union Strike

KFI Radio's Bill Handel and John & Ken Get It! They understnd CUSD has become ground zero for a national campaign by Unions to grab more money, power and influence -- the expense of the taxpayers.

"All the workers in the state, all the teachers want more, more money, better health benefits, fatter pensions. None of these people care about the state. What they care about is feeding the unions." -- John & Ken, KFI AM 640

LISTEN to "More Stimulating" KFI Commentary Here

April 23, 2010 KTLA 5 News Report: CUSD Parents Condemn Selfish Union Strike and Support Fiscally Responsible Board

April 23, 2010 CUSD Is Ground Zero for A National Battle Between Selfish Public Employee Unions and Taxpayers

The story of how public employees became members of an elite class in a declining California offers a cautionary tale to the rest of the country, where the same process is happening in slower motion. The story starts half a century ago, when California public workers won bargaining rights and quickly learned how to elect their own bosses—that is, sympathetic politicians who would grant them outsize pay and benefits in exchange for their support. Over time, the unions have turned the state’s politics completely in their favor. The result: unaffordable benefits for civil servants; fiscal chaos in Sacramento and in cities and towns across the state; and angry taxpayers finally confronting the unionized masters of California’s unsustainable government. This is what the current CUSD teachers strike is all about. READ the City Journal Column

April 22, 2010 KFI's John & Ken On CUSD Teacher Union Strike: Union Is Being Unrealistic -- Board Is Doing the Right Thing

April 21, 2010 A Message From New Jersey For Capo Teachers Union
The numbers may be different, but the principle and the message to the teachers union from the governor, taxpayers and voters of New Jersey apply equally well to California: There is no money and "shared sacrifice," rather than budgets as usual, is the new reality.
READ the Red County Story

WATCH the Wall Street Journal Video:

April 16, 2010 GREED & POWER POLITICS -- UNION MEMBERS VOTE TO STRIKE!

Today, members of the powerful teachers union in CUSD voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. This occurred in the midst of the nation's greatest economic crisis when millions in the private sector have lost their jobs or had their pay slashed by more than 30%.
READ the Red County Story
READ the OC Register Story
READ OC Register Q&A re Union Strike -- "What Parents Should Know"

April 12, 2010 Interim Superintendent Mahler Saddened to Learn That Pro-Union Student Walk Out Is Based on Misperceptions and Misinformation

And contrary to union claims, Superintendent also confirms Reform Board's decision regarding CUEA negotiations substantially compromised its original pre-impasse proposal with fact finder's recommendation.
READ Spt. Mahler's Letter to Parents

April 8, 2010 CUSD Reform Trustees Successfully Finalize Union Contract Terms That Protect Class Sizes and Teachers' Jobs. Reaction of Greedy Union Leaders ... STRIKE!
After being forced to cut $25 million from last year's budget and faced with cutting $34 million more this year, the CUSD Reform Board has approved new and sustainable union contract terms that will NOT increase class sizes and will protect dozens of teachers' jobs. Kudos to the Reform Board whose decision changes misplaced priorities of the past and fulfills important reform promises to the voters of CUSD. In response, selfish union leaders are now threatening to strike, and want to lay off hundreds of young teachers and preserve higher salaries/benefits for their most senior members at the expense of students, young teachers and taxpayers -- and they're using our children as political pawns to win at any cost! A line in the sand has been drawn. Our Reform Board needs your support and our children need protection from this shameful union greed and exploitation.
READ the Details and Learn How You Can Help

April 2, 2010 Criminal Trial Continues Against Disgraced Former Administrators

Today, Superior Court Judge William Froeberg said former Assistant Superintendent Susan McGill, 66, still must face a jury on the charge she lied under oath about her involvement in the criminal misconduct relating to the creation and use of political "enemies lists," which prosecutors say was orchestrated by ex-Superintendent James Fleming.
READ the OC Register Story

April 1, 2010 Wall Street Journal: Some Bold Government Officials Taking On Powerful Unions To Protect Taxpayers

At the heart of this fight is an unbalanced equation: The economy is shrinking the tax income for every government agency - while pension and healthcare costs for union employees continue to soar to unsustainable levels. Some government agencies are diverting money from services to cover benefits, or raising taxes and fees. That doesn't sit well with most taxpayers - many frustrated at seeing their own benefits being cut by private-sector employers…So a few bold government leaders are seeking cuts in union benefits long considered sacrosanct.
READ the Wall Street Journal Story

March 31, 2010 REFORM BOARD VICTORY - Class Sizes Will NOT Be Increased and Every Teacher's Job Will Be Protected!

Today, the CUSD Reform Trustees approved new union contract terms - rejecting the proposal supported by selfish union leaders that would have resulted in further increased class sizes for students and the dismissal of hundreds of teachers. Kudos to the Reform Board Members - This is a tremendous victory for the people of South Orange County. It is sad and ironic the only organization that isn't applauding the Board for saving every teacher's job ... is the teachers union. READ the OC Register Story

March 2010

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March 30, 2010 Greedy Union Leaders Respond to Reform Trustees' Contract Terms (that save every teacher's job and do NOT increase class sizes) ... with a threat of a strike.

Today, Union Boss Vicki Soderberg told the Orange County Register that in response to the contract terms to be approved by the Reform Trustees tomorrow -- a new contract that will save the job of every teacher and not increase class sizes -- the union will consider going on strike. Shame on the selfish union leaders for trying to line the pockets of their most senior members at the expense of hundreds of younger teachers...and every student in our school district.
READ the OC Register Story

March 30, 2010 Reform Trustees To Impose New Union Contract Tomorrow – Class Sizes Will NOT be Increased & Every Teachers’ Job Will be Protected.

Today, the CUSD Reform Trustees delivered this letter to the entire CUSD community to confirm that tomorrow, the Board will vote to approve a new union contract – a new contract that will reject the proposal supported by union leaders that would have resulted in further increased class sizes for students and the dismissal of hundreds of teachers. Kudos to the Reform Board Members -- This is a tremendous victory for the people of South Orange County.
READ the Details
READ the OC Register Story

March 29, 2010 CUSD Confirms Teacher Total Compensation in CUSD Is Among the Highest in Orange County -- Rumor That Teachers Have Not Received Raises Is False

CUSD has confirmed teacher total compensation in Capistrano is among the highest compared to other unified school districts in Orange County. CUSD's contribution to employee health benefits ranks near the top among Orange County unified school districts and a teacher’s career earnings are much higher in Capistrano Unified, as well. Based on settlement amounts documented in CUSD/CUEA contracts over 9 of the past 10 years, CUSD teachers received aggregate raises of 32.5%; based on a certified salary history of CUSD teachers for the past 15 years, CUSD teachers received aggregate raises of 54.5% -- and these increases do not even include other increases in compensation such as benefits, step and column raises (3%-3.5% per year) or stipends for extra duty.
READ the Details - CUSD Compared to Other OC Districts
READ the Details - CUSD Raises over 10 Years 32.5%
READ the Details - CUSD Raises over 15 Years 54.5%

March 29, 2010 Class Sizes: How Large Is Too Large? An Essay By The CUSD Recall Committee

Even though class sizes in CUSD have been increased four times since 1999, union leaders are threatening to strike if the Reform Board members do not further increase class sizes (which would result in the firing of hundreds of younger teachers) in order to pay more money to the union’s most senior members. The line in the sand has been drawn and you MUST decide which side you will stand on. Your kids, our kids, want you to stand on their side. The choice is yours… We urge parents and the Reform Board members to reject the selfish demands of the union leaders and protect the students, teachers and taxpayers of CUSD.
READ the details

March 19, 2010 Reform Trustees Save CUSD $5.5 Million Dollars -- Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Brought By CUSD's Disgraced Former Supt. Carter.

The $5.5 Million dollar lawsuit brought against CUSD by disgraced former supt. Woodrow Carter was dismissed today. Kudos to the new CUSD reform trustees for firing this greedy educrat -- he was a corrupt individual and deserved to be fired for cause after he was caught red handed trying to insert a $500,000 golden parachute clause into his own employment contract and committing other illegal acts detailed in the written termination report.
READ More...
READ OC Register Article
READ Carter Termination Report

March 14, 2010 2nd Chances: Television Premiere of "Not as Good as You Think: The Myth of the Middle Class School"

If you missed Friday night's television premiere of "Not As Good As You Think: The Myth of the Middle Class School, you're in luck. Five additional show times have been added, including two today! With 50% of our state budget spent on education, this is an important film for everyone to watch. On the "OC Channel" - PBS Orange County (Channel 810 on Cox Cable), set your DVRs and note the following show times:

Sunday, March 14th, 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 14th, 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 15th, 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 17th, 4:00 a.m.
Sunday, March 17th, 2:00 p.m.

Search under the title of the film or call your cable provider if you have difficulty finding the channel on your local cable system.
CLICK for More Information

March 12, 2010 Shocker: Union's Candidate Kutnick Running For...OC GOP Central Committee

"According to the OC Registrar of voters website, Erin Kutnick - the darling of the teachers union in Capistrano Unified - is running for...the OC Republican Party Central Committee (73rd Assembly District)! Yep. (Please continue reading after finishing laughing)..."
CLICK to Read the Story

March 12, 2010 Television Premiere of "Not as Good as You Think: The Myth of the Middle Class School"

Please join us in watching the television premiere of Pacific Research Institute's "Not as Good as You Think: The Myth of the Middle Class School," tonight, March 12, 2010 at 8:30 p.m. Pacific Time, KOCE-OC Channel (PBS Orange County).

WATCH the Trailer in HD

February 2010

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February 25, 2010 CUSD Watch: OC Register Opposes Union-Backed Recall Effort
The OC Register published a significant editorial yesterday opposing the union-backed recall campaign against Capistrano Unified Reform Trustees Lopez-Maddox and Winsten. This editorial is quite significant for a couple of reasons..."
CLICK to Read the Story

February 24, 2010 CUSD's Lopez-Maddox & Winsten To Recall Proponents: "Promise Voters No $800,000 Special Election"

Lopez-Maddox & Winsten have challenged the recall leaders to unconditionally promise voters they will abandon their recall campaign if they are unable to successfully gather and submit tot he Registrar of Voters all of the required petition signatures in time to qualify for the November 2010 general election.
CLICK to Read the Story

February 22, 2010 CRA Unanimously Opposes Union-Backed Recall of CUSD Trustees

California Republican Assembly leaders urge all voters not to sign recall petitions.
CLICK to Read the Story

February 16, 2010 Republican Party of Orange County Unanimously Opposes Union-Backed Recall of CUSD Trustees

County party urges all voters not to sign recall petitions.

CLICK to Read the Story
CLICK to Read the Resolution

February 15, 2010 WARNING: Public Empoyee Unions Have Commenced A Multi-Pronged Attack Against the C.U.S.D. Board Members

Reform leader Tony Beall delivered this inspiring speech to the OC Republican Party Central Committee on February 15, 2010, warning that powerful union leaders from across the state and nation had commenced an orchestrated, multi-pronged attack on the seven conservative Republicans serving on the CUSD Board of Trustees. Based upon this call to action, the OC Republican Central Committee issued a unanimous resolution opposing the union's unjust recall campaign against two of the CUSD Reform Trustees - which was quickly followed by a unanimous resolution issued by the California Republican Assembly and an OC Register editorial condemning the unjust union-backed recall effort.
READ Tony's Speech

December 2009

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December 3, 2009 CUSD Recall Committee Featured at U.S. Capitol Film Debut

U.S. House of Representatives Republican Leader John Boehner and Representative John Kline, Senior Republican of the House Education and Labor Committee, will present today the U.S Capitol debut of "Not As Good As You Think -- The Myth of the Middle Class School" featuring the accomplishments of the CUSD Recall Committee.

READ the OC Register Story
READ the Official Invitation
WATCH the Trailer in HD

October 26, 2009 A Parent's Plea to Protect Public School Students: Union Politics Are Hurting Our Children

One mom is fed up with selfish union leaders who, in the middle of a national economic crisis, are threatening to strike if their members don’t receive scheduled increases in salary, pensions and benefits – even if that means students get crammed into more overcrowded classrooms. Our school district is facing a crisis. The Board members were forced to cut $25,000,000 from the budget this year, and now must cut an additional $25 million from next year’s budget. 85% of the district’s $550 million budget is paid in salaries, pensions and benefits to public employees! The remaining 15% is all that‘s left for the kids. Sadly, the unions are still refusing to accept a modest across-the-board cut – they just want more and more and more...
READ Dawn Urbanek's wonderful open letter to the community.

October 2009

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May 20, 2009 Blockbuster Documentary Film Shines National Spotlight on CUSD Reform Movement

WATCH the Video Trailer

Tonight, the Southern California premiere of "Not As Good As You Think: The Myth of the Middle Class School" will take place at a private screening at the beautiful St. Regis Hotel in Dana Point. The gala event is sold out and follows other screenings in San Francisco, New York and Washington, DC.

This groundbreaking documentary shatters the myth that "good" schools located in "nice" neighborhoods are shielded from the education crisis that pervades schools in poor, urban areas. Using compelling data on school performance and interviews with parents, students, principals and school reformers, “Not as Good as You Think” confirms every parent's silent fear: that their financial sacrifice and investment in an expensive home located in what they believe to be a "good" school district, may actually turn out to be an investment in an underperforming or even corrupt public school system.

“Not as Good as You Think” is a bold documentary by accomplished film maker Nick Tucker, and is based upon the revealing book by the same name written by Lance Isumi, J.D., Vicki E. Murray, Ph.D and Rachel Chaney of the Pacific Research Institute. The CUSD Recall Committee’s successful five year campaign to bring badly needed reform to the Capistrano Unified School District is prominently featured in this movie -- as an example of just how badly broken the American public school system can be in one of the country’s most affluent areas…and how tremendous improvements and reforms can be achieved by dedicated, vigilant citizen action and oversight.

May 2009

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May 14, 2009 CUSD's Intolerant Anti-Religion Teacher, James Corbett, Exposed in Fox News Interviews with Student Chad Farnan!

May 1, 2009 CUSD's Anti-Religion Bigot Teacher Loses Court Battle; Found Guilty of Insulting Christians!

Court finds that teacher James Corbett violated his student's 1st Amendment rights.
READ the OC Register Story
READ the Court Order - Court finds against Corbett at pages 15, 18, 21 and 29.
WATCH "OC in Two" Video: Anti-Creationism comment violated law

March 2009

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March 27, 2009 URGENT UPDATE: Union Leaders Are Hurting Our Children

The CUSD board is facing a crisis. They must cut $25 million from the district’s 2009/2010 budget. Still, they want to save every teacher’s job and preserve the smallest class sizes possible. But since 85% of the district’s $550 million budget is paid in salaries, this can only be accomplished if the unions cooperate. Sadly, the unions are refusing to even consider a modest across-the-board cut to save every teacher’s job and preserve the smallest class sizes possible for our students.
READ the Details.

March 24, 2009 District Administrators Propose Covering Massive Budget Deficit on the Backs of our Children, Families and Taxpayers...Again

Facing budget cuts of $25 million for 2009/2010, CUSD administrators are proposing further cuts to educational programs and increases in class sizes - bad news for children, their families and taxpayers. The elephant in the room? 85% of the district's $550 million budget is allocated to salaries, a factor conspicuously missing in the budget discussions. With the economy flagging and thousands loosing their jobs, highly paid CUSD administrators (check it out here) and union leaders are rejecting modest, across-the-board pay cuts -- a sensible solution supported by reform trustees that could preserve desperately needed education programs, smaller class sizes and protect overburdened taxpayers. Instead, administrators are proposing another assault on the remaining 15% of the budget, which is precious little to cover current classroom needs already cut to the bone. Apparently, this is fine with administrators, union leaders and tax-hike advocates who continue to ignore the "85%" elephant in the room that is crushing the educational needs of the children to death.
READ the OC Register story

March 20, 2009 Report Confirms Carter Was Insubordinate and Guilty of Numerous Illegal and Other Improper Acts

The Capistrano Unified board has released a 54-page report (400 pages with exhibits) setting forth dozens of charges and evidence against former Superintendent Woodrow Carter. The scathing report describes the fired superintendent as an insubordinate, scheming administrator who engaged in numerous improper and illegal acts. The report reveals a corrupt side of Carter completely at odds with the image he has projected to his supporters at CUSD. The report concludes, "[W]hile Carter purports to 'love' the district and care for its students and the community, his apparent certainty that he would receive a 'nice buy-out' and 'an extended golfing vacation' at district expense is insulting and offensive to every member of that community."
READ the OC Register Story
READ the Official CUSD News Release
READ Official Carter Termination Report

March 10, 2009 Trustees Fire Carter!

Capistrano Unified Superintendent A. Woodrow Carter was fired Monday for "material breach of contract." For two months, Carter had been on paid administrative leave pending investigation of more than 60 charges involving his performance as superintendent. Although Carter claims to have addressed and refuted every allegation, the vote to terminate him for cause was unanimous. The board asked district counsel to prepare a statement consistent with its decision for later publication.
READ the OC Register Story

March 9, 2009 New OC Register Column: Public School System Doesn't Need More Money - Its "Bankrupt Culture" Needs Reform and Common Sense

Syndicated columnist Star Parker reveals the fallacy of the increased per-pupil spending "solution" offered by most public educators and teachers unions, exposing it for what it is – an excuse that prevents long-needed reforms and dooms our children to a culturally corrupt, monopolistic system that favors special interests and ignores common sense.
READ Ms. Star's Column
READ CUSD Recall Blog

March 8, 2009 New Report Shows California Teachers Are Highest-Paid in the Nation...Yet the Teachers Union Wants Billions More

Even with average teacher salaries higher than all 49 other states (25% above the national average), California's pubic schools still perform on average near the bottom (49th nationally). The CTA's low per-pupil spending argument is a flimsy excuse based on an arcane formula and ignores the negative impact higher teacher salaries have on classrooms. The CTA's "solution"? Ignore the state's greatest-ever budget crisis and ask already-overtaxed and increasingly-unemployed voters to approve ballot measure 1B on the May 19 ballot to drain $9.3 billion more out of taxpayers' pockets to pour into teachers' wallets. Now that's chutzpah!
READ the OC Register Editorial

March 3, 2009 New Report Confirms Woodrow Carter Engaged in Serious Misconduct

While at CUSD Investigative Reporter Daffodil Alton at the OC Weekly has published a blockbuster new report detailing numerous instances of serious misconduct committed by Woodrow Carter while he was acting as CUSD Superintendent. The report confirms that at the same time Carter was telling the families of CUSD that he didn't know how he would fund our students' classrooms, he accepted gifts from, and was wined and dined at lavish resorts by, consultants seeking lucrative contracts with CUSD, that Carter successfully funneled lucrative school district contracts to those same consultants, that Carter failed to inform the School Board about the gifts he had received from these consultants, that Carter failed to disclose the gifts on the public disclosure forms in violation of the law, and that Carter submitted improper "double-dipping" expense reports to CUSD seeking reimbursement for expenses that had already been paid for by the consultants.
READ the Incredible OC Weekly Story
READ CUSD Recall Blog

January 2009

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January 30, 2009 Trustee Bryson Confirms Board Had Valid, Well-Documented Causes To Remove Carter

The Orange County Register confirms that Trustee Anna Bryson (the lone dissenter on the school board's 6-1 vote to put Carter on administrative leave) agrees with the rest of the Board there were multiple, valid, well-documented examples of Carter’s poor job performance to justify the immediate removal of Carter for cause. Although Trustee Bryson may have disagreed with her colleagues as to whether the initial timing was right to remove Carter (due to the looming budget crisis she didn’t want CUSD to be a “rudderless ship”), from a substantive standpointTrustee Bryson has now confirmed she agrees with the rest of the CUSD Board of Trustees that there were more than enough reasons to remove Carter from his position.
READ Bryson's quote on the CUSD Recall Blog

January 11, 2009 The truth about Woodrow Carter's past failures
If all you heard were the impassioned gushing over Mr. Carter by employees and a few parents incited by union boss Vicki Soderberg, and their equally impassioned and vile attacks against our new trustees, you would think Carter should be beatified and the trustees condemned to the fiery pits of hell. Well, here are some facts and other points of view that Carter, Soderberg and their bully mob would prefer not discussed.
READ the Details

January 10, 2009 CUSD Board of Trustees releases public statement regarding Spt. Woodrow Carter The board responds to questions regarding its decision to place Superintendent Woodrow Carter on administrative leave.
READ the Details

January 6, 2009 New trustees exercise leadership and take action to restore order in our broken school district Comments on tonight's board decision to place Superintendent Woodrow Carter on administrative leave.
READ the Details

December 25, 2008 Holiday fun with Woody, Marlene, Sheila, Mikey and the Stiffler ... and Woody's right where we've come to appreciate him the most - smack dab in the middle of more Old Guard mischief-making!

Oh m'gosh…they’e back! Former CUSD Trustees Marlene Draper and Sheila Benecke have been elfed…again! And this time, former Trustees Mike Darnold and Duane Stiff, and Superintendent Woodrow Carter have joined them in the holiday fun. Marlene and Sheila were booted in a humiliating landslide recall last June, the Stiffler went down hard in the November election and, with no more Old Guard buddies to play with, Mikey quit. Woody has been implicated in numerous Old Guard wrongdoings and some brand new ones of his own. But none of this has dampened their holiday spirits - or their notorious, tricky moves - as these party animals have been hitting the holiday party circuit. They may have been disastrous for the district, but in the spirit of the holidays, and just for grins, let's all join Woody and the Old Guard Mischiefmakers for some hoppin' holiday fun in:
"Forest Elves"
"Charleston Elves"
"Hoedown Elves"
"Disco Elves"

December 19, 2008 Was Capo superintendent supposed to be fired? Whether he was or not, he should be now.

READ the OC Register Story
READ Carter's speech
READ the Details on the CUSD Recall Blog.

Spt. Woodrow Carter, was scheduled to undergo a performance review yesterday, but now faces an uphill battle after he joined union boss Vicki Soderberg in a dishonest and disgraceful preemptive strike against the new board by attacking them, playing the victim card and inciting possibly the worst example of mob behavior in CUSD history. The special board meeting had been noticed as a "performance evaluation" for Carter with possible disciplinary action or termination of an unidentified "public employee." No allegations or charges were disclosed and no action was taken. Carter delivered a speech before the trustees went into closed session. The speech obviously was written in large part by Carter's labor counsel and was designed to intimidate and influence the new board's decisions by inciting confusion over the facts and the process, undeserved sympathy for Carter and groundless, hysterical outrage against the new board - all coordinated with the support of an unruly mob rallied by union boss Vicki Soderberg.

Carter and Soderberg had been waging a political campaign of defamation against the new board members for months after Carter had become exposed after being implicated (even by the OC district attorney) in numerous wrongful acts. Ironically, whether the board previously had grounds to discipline or fire Carter or not, his defamatory remarks and disgraceful legal posturing and other offensive conduct yesterday certainly have given the board grounds to discipline of fire him for cause, now. Carter and Soderberg have declared war on the board, openly sewing the seeds of dissension among the rank-and-file. Carter has revealed himself to be insubordinate and an open threat to the integrity of the board as an institution. As such, Carter is unfit to serve as superintendent of CUSD, and the sooner he is terminated the better.

December 2008

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December 9, 2008 CUSD trustees select officers for 2009 Swearing-in is the capstone to a multi-year effort by reformers to replace the seven-member board.
READ the OC Register Story

December 9, 2008 Capistrano trustees approve cost-cutting budget
Officials caution that further cuts will likely be necessary; plan will be formalized after governor releases budget in January.
READ the OC Register Story

December 8, 2008 State schools facing $1 billion-plus midyear cut
Parents will be asked to step up to the plate with carefully-crafted fundraising strategies.
READ the OC Register Story

December 8, 2008 Reform candidates sworn in, marking end of Fleming era
Tonight, the last of the Fleming-era trustees were replaced as reform candidates Jack Brick, Ken Maddox, Sue Palazzo and Mike Winsten were sworn in as members of the CUSD board of trustees. All seven board seats are now held by candidates backed by the CUSD Recall Committee. The momentous event marks the end of the Fleming era and the beginning of a new era of reform at CUSD. Members of the CUSD Recall Committee were on hand to congratulate the new trustees and call upon them to fulfill the reform mandate of the voters who overwhelmingly spoke in landslide victories in three successive elections. Read and listen to speeches by Recall Committee leaders:
Jennifer Beall
Tony Beall
Michelle Russell
Tom Russell

November 2008

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November 4, 2008 REFORM SLATE WINS IN 4-WAY SWEEP!
Tonight, reform candidates Jack Brick, Ken Maddox, Sue Palazzo and Mike Winsten won all four open seats on the CUSD Board of Trustees. This monumental victory marks the end of the corrupt Fleming-era in CUSD and ushers in a new era in which all seven Board seats are held by reform trustees.

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REFORM SLATE: Brick, Maddox, Palazzo and Winsten

READ the Capistrano Dispatch Story
READ the OC Register Story
TREAD the Trabuco Canyon News Story

November 2, 2008 California Taxpayer Protection Committee supports reform slate; warns voters against returning to the days of CUSD corruption

The California Taxpayer Protection Committee has distributed a mailer asking voters to support the Reform Slate of Brick, Maddox, Palazzo and Winsten, and exposes special interests behind the union-backed, status quo slate.

READ the CTPC Mailer

October 2008

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October 31, 2008 Teachers expose union lies, rejecting union claims they represent views of all or most teachers

The OC Register reports, “The Prop. 8 flap isn't the only issue that has local teachers concerned about accurate representation by their unions. In the Capistrano Unified School District, the teachers union has thrown at least $73,400 into a hotly contested Nov. 4 school board race. The concern is that at least 5 percent of the district's 2,400 members, by the union's own admission, are backing an opposing slate of candidates.” The local CUSD teachers union, the CUEA, first claimed ALL 2,400 CUSD teachers supported their status quo slate of candidates. When this patent lie was exposed, the union backed off, claiming 2,300 did, and conceding that AT LEAST 5% (115) supported the reform slate. The truth is, only 100 of the 2,400 CUSD teachers voted on the matter, which is LESS THAN the 5% they conceded! Now the sleazy teachers union, that doesn't even respect its own members, would have you believe the social agendas of their benefactor, the CTA, and their socially liberal status quo slate of candidates won’t eventually limit parent choice by imposing their social “values” on your kids in the classrooms. Sure they won't.
READ the OC Register Story

October 26, 2008 Reform Candidate Mike Winsten offers sensible solutions to improve transparency and restore public trust in CUSD

Winsten addresses parent concerns over the lack of transparency at CUSD and proposes solutions for the benefit of parents and taxpayers. Winsten, an attorney and independent businessman, is the reform candidate for CUSD Trustee Area 3, which covers most of San Clemente.
READ the Entire Statement

October 22, 2008 State Senator Dick Ackerman critical of state teachers union for spending $1.7 million of teachers' money on partisan, social issues unrelated to education, while state cuts squeeze teachers and schools

Ackerman says, "CTA's choice to take money from teachers and use it to fund a campaign for a social issue unrelated to its mission is shameful. It is time for CTA to stop throwing money around and focus its attention on representing the priorities of its members."
READ the OC Register Column

October 21, 2008 Teachers unions are spending big money on a liberal, non-educational social agenda and like-minded candidates who will decide what to teach your children, if elected

The CUSD Recall Committee is deeply disturbed by the recent contribution of $1,000,000 to the No on 8 campaign by the California Teachers Association. We are equally disturbed by the tremendous amounts of money being spent by the union in our local Capistrano Unified School District elections (the CUEA) in an effort to elect socially liberal and unqualified candidates. Schools may not be required to discuss these issues in classrooms, but have discretion to do so, and likely will if such liberal, union-backed candidates are elected.
READ the OC Register Article, "Will gay marriage be taught in public schools if Prop. 8 fails?"

October 18, 2008 Mike Winsten explains key element of reform platform: "Spend our tax dollars equitably throughout CUSD."

Winsten describes some of the priorities and policies needed to correct past and continuing inequities in funding and facilities in CUSD. "Please vote for me and I will help lead CUSD forward while making sure every school site is treated equally. I will not quietly tolerate one school site being treated more equally than others due to shadow politics and favoritism. Thank you for taking the time to make an educated vote for our public schools." Winsten, an attorney and independent businessman, is the reform candidate for CUSD Trustee Area 3, which covers most of San Clemente.
READ the Entire Statement

October 17, 2008 Old Guard CUSD trustees disgraced again with "Darkness Award"

Tomorrow, the California First Amendment Coalition, a freedom of press group, will present its annual Darkness Award to three recipients, including the CUSD Board of Trustees, in recognition of "conduct that thwarts freedom of speech and the public's right to know." The award follows the release of a September 2nd OC District Attorney's report condemning the CUSD Old Guard trustees for their "disturbing disdain, if not outright contempt" for district residents. The same report praised the CUSD reform trustees for their commitment to end such disgraceful practices at CUSD.
READ the OC Register Story
READ the CFAC Blog
READ the CUSD Recall Blog

October 14, 2008 Teachers Union Running Massive, Illegal, Deceptive Campaign

Teachers union leadership and their candidates are illegally coordinating campaign efforts. The teachers union PAC is the largest special interest group involved in the CUSD local school board races -- and they are trying to buy the election using deceptive and illegal tactics. While thumbing their noses at the law, they have spent a whopping $72,797.49 so far!
READ the CUSD Recall Press Release

October 6, 2008 IMPORTANT NOTICE TO VOTERS: Let's finish the job! On Nov 4, vote for the four reform candidates: BRICK, MADDOX, PALAZZO & WINSTEN

Last June, South Orange County voters recalled two Fleming-era, old guard CUSD trustees by overwhelming, landslide margins, sending a clear mandate for reform at CUSD. Now, with your help, we finally can finish the job by electing a dedicated and qualified slate of reform candidates in the upcoming general election on November 4th.

READ the Latest CUSD Recall Email Update
READ the Reform Slate Campaign Mailer

September 29-30, 2008 Two South County cities sue over Superintendent Carter's illegal plan to cut busing
Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita sue to protect their residents from increased safety risks.
READ the OC Register Story
READ the OC Register Story

September 2008

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October 2, 2008 CUSD lawyer accused of running afoul of open-meeting laws
School-law attorney brought into closed session meeting to assure compliance with Brown Act, accused of giving board wrong advice. The attorney was referred by other CUSD counsel. Another CUSD attorney present at the meeting also may have failed to advise the board.
READ the OC Register Story

September 29, 2008 Teachers union president playing election season politics - alleges reform trustees broke open meeting law.
Reform trustee Ellen Addonizio immediately denies allegations and rightfully attributes the union's unfounded allegations to election season acrimony.
READ the OC Register Story

September 22, 2008 Republicans rally behind CUSD reform slate candidates Brick, Maddox, Palazzo and Winsten score key endorsements for November election, including The California Republican Assembly, The Republican Party of Orange County and The Orange County Young Republicans.

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Brick, Maddox, Palazzo and Winsten

READ the CUSD Recall Press Release

September 20, 2008 San Juan Hills High School 'waste' of public funds, complaint says
Parents allege up to $10 million of public money was illegally spent during the construction of San Juan Hills High School.
READ the OC Register Story

September 18, 2008 CUSD Recall Committee releases new Reform Campaign Flyer

SEE the Reform Campaign Flyer

September 18, 2008 Kutnick posts "clarification" to explain false endorsement claim, but contradicts OC Superintendent Habermehl
Last week, candidate Erin Kutnick's website claimed she was endorsed by OC Superintendent Bill Habermehl. Calls to Habermehl's office and certain OC Department of Education trustees confirmed Habermehl denied ever making such an endorsement. Contradicting this, Kutnick's "clarification" claims she received an endorsement from Habermehl via email, followed by a phone call retracting it. If Kutnick is telling the truth, of course he retracted it. He got caught violating his own policy to support Kutnick, a union candidate and rabid supporter of the corrupt Fleming-era regime. Well thanks for flushing that one out for us, Erin. After all, what else could we expect from a politician like Habermehl who had nothing but praise for now-indicted, former Spt. James Fleming even after his offices were raided by DA investigators and the headlines were rife with scandals implicating him. Kutnick would love Habermehl's endorsement to set the stage for some more of that infamous Fleming-era CUSD "collaboration" with the OC Department of Education. But what if Habermehl's telling the truth? Guess we'll never know for sure with all that good-old-boy/good-old-girl stuff going on between them. But thanks for the "clarification," Erin. It really helps...well, sort of.

September 17, 2008 Lincoln Club endorses four reform candidates
Today, the Lincoln Club of Orange County endorsed the four reform candidates for the CUSD Board of Trustees in the upcoming November general election: Sue Palazzo, Ken Maddox, Jack Brick and Mike Winsten.
READ THE Red County Story

September 15, 2008 Anti-reform, Old Guard supporter and union boss pick Erin Kutnick misrepresented endorsement by OC Spt. William Habermehl
Today, the Orange County Department of Education confirmed that OC Spt. William Habermehl has not endorsed CUSD Trustee candidate Erin Kutnick. Kutnick, an outspoken supporter of the Old Guard Fleming regime, posted the endorsement on her campaign website. The OC Department of Eduction representative stated that Mr. Habermehl has a standing policy against such endorsements and any such endorsement was a "mistake." Some mistake. Kutnick now officially joins the dubious ranks of Old Guard hustlers like former Trustee John Casabianca who unsuccessfully tried a similar sleazy move just before he was overwhelmingly defeated by reform candidate Larry Christensen in the November 2006 election. READ the Red County Story. The errant Habermehl endorsement has since been removed from Kutnick's website.

September 15, 2008 Orange County GOP endorses four reform candidates
Today, the Republican Party of Orange County endorsed Jack Brick and Mike Winsten, two of the four reform candidates running for seats on the CUSD Board of Trustees in the upcoming November general election. The remaining two reform candidates, incumbents Sue Palazzo and Ken Maddox, have already received early endorsements by the Orange County Republican Party.

September 9-12, 2008 Scathing D.A. report confirms continuing illegal acts at CUSD
Old Guard Trustees and Superintendent Carter implicated; recently-elected Reform Trustees praised for exposing the ongoing corruption, all of which happened under Carter's watch.
READ the CUSD Recall Press Release
READ the LA Times Story
READ the OC Register Story
READ the OC Register Story
READ the Capistrano Dispatch Story
READ the Dana Point Times
READ the San Clemente Times

September 8, 2008 Orange County Young Republicans endorse four reform candidates
Today, the Orange County Young Republicans endorsed four reform candidates for the CUSD Board of Trustees in the upcoming November general election: Sue Palazzo and Ken Maddox, for re-election in Trustee Areas 2 and 5, and Jack Brick and Mike Winsten, for election in Trustee Areas 1 and 3.

September 6, 2008 CRA Units endorse four reform candidates
Today, the Ladera Ranch, Rancho Santa Margarita, Saddleback and South Orange County Republican Assemblies endorsed four reform candidates for the CUSD Board of Trustees in the upcoming November general election: Sue Palazzo and Ken Maddox, for re-election in Trustee Areas 2 and 5, and Jack Brick and Mike Winsten, for election in Trustee Areas 1 and 3

August 2008

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August 28, 2008 Trustees approve previously delayed environmental report and risk analysis to cut bus routes
Over objections of four South OC cities and allegations of environmental law violations by district, trustees approve environmental report permitting elimination of 44 bus routes, and despite independent evidence of risk and questionable actions by superintendent, trustees accept risk analysis that finds a high pressure jet fuel and gasoline pipeline nearby SJHHS, "safe."
READ the San Clemente Times Story

August 12, 2008 Trustees postpone decision to cut busing Approved plan would cut 44 bus routes, affecting 5,000 children
Four South OC cities reject district finding of "no significant impact" to environment and traffic and condemn plan. Trustee Maddox proposes to include cities in process.
READ the OC Register Story

August 10, 2008 Four South OC cities condemn CUSD busing cuts, demand more study and aggressive solutions
District claims loss of widespread bus service will have no significant impact on environment and traffic.
READ the OC Register Story

July 23, 2008 City of Mission Viejo says CUSD busing cuts would significantly increase traffic
City disagrees with district's conclusion of "no significant impact," objects to proposed reduction in bus service and asks for more analysis of potential impacts based on attendance boundaries, student population allocation, school facility maintenance and capital facility improvements.
READ the OC Register Story

July 2008

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July 22, 2008 Reform trustees reject analysis of jet fuel-gasoline pipeline near SJHHS
Trustees also approve forensic audit of SJHHS construction costs and examination of district's third party contractors by school board subcommittee.
OREAD the OC Register Story

July 11, 2008 Trial for ex-Capistrano superintendent could be delayed again
Prosecutors plan to subpoena more records in the case against James Fleming,
The Orange County Register

July 10, 2008 New pipeline report radically underestimates potential fuel fuel spills at SJHHS
Engineer has corrected report but still claims school is safe. Parent engineer who uncovered the issue, is skeptical. Reform trustees vow to get to the bottom of issues. D.A. puts district on notice and is closely watching.
READ the OC Register Story

July 7, 2008 District Attorney commences criminal investigation against Superintendent Woodrow Carter and Trustee Mike Darnold
A clause was added to A. Woodrow Carter's employment contract without school board approval; Carter denies wrongdoing.
READ the OC Register Story, which is an update to the previous story published July 3, 2008

July 3, 2008 Reform Candidates Ken Maddox and Sue Palazzo are sworn in
READ the Dana Point Times Story

July 2, 2008 Capistrano reform trustees sworn in after recall
READ the Capistrano Dispatch Story
READ the San Clemente Times Story

July 1, 2008 New Capistrano trustees take office, select new board
Trustees Mike Darnold and Duane Stiff, absent during the session, are ousted as president and vice president.
READ the OC Register Story

June 23, 2008 Front page news coverage of Tuesday's monumental special recall election Read the media coverage of the upcoming CUSD Recall special election by the OC Register, LA Times, San Clemente Times, Trabuco Canyon News.

June 2008

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CUSD RECALL WINS!
Voters hand Draper & Benecke humiliating election defeat & mandate for reform to Palazzo & Maddox.

See up-to-date news coverage:
June 29, 2008 Capistrano Schools Recall Successful; New Trustees in Office, Capistrano Dispatch
June 27, 2008 New Capo trustees pledge hard look at district affairs, The Ladera Post
June 27, 2008 New Capo trustees pledge hard look at district affairs, Rancho Santa Margarita News
June 27, 2008 Capistrano Unified Trustees Removed from Office, Capistrano Dispatch
June 27, 2008 RECALL IS FINAL - Daily News Blast, Capistrano Dispatch
June 27, 2008 CUSD Trustees Recalled, Capistrano Dispatch
June 26, 2008 CUSD Trustees Recalled, San Clemente Times
June 26, 2008 Capistrano Unified recall wins; Maddox, Palazzo in, Sun Post News
June 26, 2008 CUSD recall, Maddox and Palazzo win, Dana Point News
June 26, 2008 CUSD recall, Maddox and Palazzo win, Capistrano Valley News
June 26, 2008 OC Register Editorial: Extreme makeover, CUSD edition - Capo Unified school district parents do the right thing and recall obstacles to reform
June 25, 2008 Capistrano district braces for change after recall, OC Register
June 25, 2008 New Capo trustees pledge openness, hard look at district affairs, OC Register
June 25, 2008 Capistrano Unified school board members are recalled, LA Times
June 24, 2008 Recall Final: Benecke and Draper Removed from Capistrano Unified School Board, Capistrano Dispatch
June 24, 2008 More than 20,000 ballots already cast in CUSD recall, OC Register
June 24, 2008 Capistrano Unified recall wins, OC Register
June 23, 2008 Capistrano schools battle goes to voters, LA Times

The CUSD Recall Committee has endorsed Sue Palazzo and Ken Maddox, candidates for the CUSD Board of Trustees in the upcoming June 24th special recall election.

Sue Palazzo | Ken Maddox
Trustee Area 2 | Trustee Area 5

"Help us finish the job!"
CUSD Recall News, CUSD Recall Litigation News, Palazzo Website, Maddox Website, PM Reform News, PM Press Release, Grounds for Recall

June 22, 2008 Important message to voters from candidates Sue Palazzo and Ken Maddox: "Please vote 'Yes' on CUSD Recall in the special election, June 24th"

READ the Text of the email message sent to voters by Sue Palazzo, candi- date for Trustee Area 2, and Ken Maddox, candidate for Trustee Area 5

June 20, 2008 Important notice to voters from Assemblymember Todd Spitzer: "Please vote 'Yes' on CUSD Recall - June 24th"

READ the Text of a robocall message by Todd Spitzer, Assemblymember, 71st Assembly District

June 19, 2008 ABC Reform Trustees urge voters to vote "YES" on CUSD Recall

In a special guest column in the Trabuco Canyon News, reform trustees Ellen Addonizio, Anna Bryson and Larry Christensen urge voters to "Renew CUSD" by voting "YES" in the upcoming special recall election in June 24th.

READ the Details on the CUSD Recall Blog
READ the ABC Special Guest Column

June 18, 2008 Important notice to voters from Tony Beall: "Vote 'Yes' on CUSD Recall - June 24th"

READ the Text of an email update by Tony Beall, RSM Councilmember and proud member of the CUSD Recall Committee

June 16, 2008 Important notice to voters from Assemblymember Mimi Walters: "Please vote 'Yes' on CUSD Recall on June 24th"

READ the Text of a robocall message by Mimi Walters, Assemblymember, 73rd Assembly District

June 10, 2008 Oh no, not that again! "Good Things Happening at CUSD"? Superintendent Carter borrows one right out of the James Fleming playbook

Contrary to years of "happy talk" from CUSD, a recent OC Register study revealed the performance of CUSD high schools to be below average across the board. But never a district to let facts challenge the incessant, self-laudatory praising of the old guard, Carter has announced he will do what his predecessors have done best since the darkest days under the leadership of now-indicted, former Superintendent James Fleming...he's going to SPIN!
READ the Details

June 4, 2008 Old Guard trustees turn blind eye to superintendent's fraud, approve million dollar employment contract anyway ABC Reform Trustees leave Board meeting and refuse to participate in legal violations and cover-up by Carter and Old Guard trustees.
READ the OC Register Story
READ the OC Register Story

June 2, 2008 Law prohibits board approval of superintendent Carter's contract tonight
Board cannot legally approve new three-year, million dollar superintendent's contract.
READ the formal complaint letter from the CUSD Recall Committee to the CUSD Board
READ the secret illegal employment contract Spt. Carter and Board President Darnold are trying to hide

May 2008

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May 27, 2008 CUSD Recall Committee calls for repudiation of illegal secret superintendent's contract Committee also calls for public censure of superintendent and board president.
READ Press Release
READ Complaint Letter
READ Illegal Contract
READ OC Register Cartoon.

May 19, 2008 OC Republican Party Endorses CUSD Recall Party also endorses reform candidates Sue Palazzo and Ken Maddox to replace Marlene Draper and Sheila Benecke in the June 24th Special Recall Election.
READ Press Release
READ Other Endorsements.

May 13, 2008 OC GOP Endorsements Committee recommends endorsement of recall Today, the OC GOP Endorsements Committee voted unanimously to recommend that the Republican Party of Orange County endorse the recall of Marlene Draper and Sheila Benecke in the upcoming June 24 special election. The recommendation will be considered by the OC Republican Central Committee on May 19th. The Central Committee previously condemned illegal acts by Benecke, Draper and their Fleming-era colleagues, Darnold and Stiff, in October 2007, when the 100-member body voted unanimously calling for their resignations from the CUSD Board.
READ OC GOP Press Release.

May 12, 2008 Carter misstates law in attempt to defend illegal golden parachute Spt. Carter told the press that a highly suspicious and poorly drafted termination clause "merely emphasizes" California law, entitling him to nearly $500,000 if he is "fired" for whatever reason. The law says no such thing, and while such a misrepresentation is bad enough on its face, it's especially egregious when this was done in secret while hundreds of teachers and other employees are being fired due to budget constraints.
READ OC Register Story
READ Speech by Tom Russell

May 9, 2008 Secret, Illegal Superintendent's Contract Discovered Superintendent Carter and old guard trustee Mike Darnold executed and delivered secret agreement purporting to give controversial superintendent huge salary increase and golden parachute. Superintendent had previously, publicly rejected the contract offer.
READ Illegal contract
READ News Coverage
READ Press Release

May 8, 2008 CRA Units endorse Recall Election, Sue Palazzo and Ken Maddox Tonight, the Ladera Ranch, Rancho Santa Margarita, Saddleback and South Orange County Republican Assemblies endorsed the June 24, 2008 special election to recall incumbent CUSD Trustees Sheila Benecke and Marlene Draper. They also endorsed Sue Palazzo for CUSD Trustee in Trustee Area 2 and Ken Maddox for CUSD Trustee in Trustee Area 5.
See Orange County CRA Website

May 6, 2008 Assemblyman Todd Spitzer calls on legislature to fund education Letter from Todd Spitzer explains how Republicans have committed to uphold funding of Proposition 98.
READ Press Release

April 2008

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April 28, 2008 Court strikes Draper's and Benecke's illegal campaign statements "in their entirety" An Orange County Superior Court has stricken “in their entirety” the 200-word candidate statements filed by recall targets Marlene Draper and Sheila Benecke, two trustees of the Capistrano Unified School District. A copy of the court order is attached hereto. The court’s action ensured Draper and Benecke’s illegal campaign statements will not be published in the sample ballots to be sent to all voters prior to the June 24 special election.
See court documents, news coverage and press release

April 25, 2008 CUSD Recall court hearing set for Monday A superior court judge will hear the lawsuit brought by members of the CUSD Recall Committee asking the court to strike numerous false, misleading and illegal statements contained in candidate statements filed by recall targets Marlene Draper and Sheila Benecke. The matter will be heard before Judge Steven L. Perk on Monday, April 28th, at 8:30 a.m., in Dept. C32 of the Orange County Superior Court.

April 21, 2008 Recall targets sued over illegal campaign statements CUSD Recall Committee members ask superior court to sanction Trustees Draper and Benecke for making numerous false, misleading and illegal statements in candidate statements filed with the OC Registrar in connection with the upcoming June 24th special recall election.
See official complaint, press release and news coverage.

April 18, 2008 Gas pipeline near SJHHS may pose threat; Concerns cause district to close school field A local resident analyzes 2004 risk report regarding a 16" high-pressure gasoline and jet fuel pipeline inside minimum legal limits from SJHHS, and concludes information is flawed. District cover-up spin is already starting as district spokesperson Beverly De Nicola points to a prior "approval" by the California Department of Education, and overlooks primary responsibility of CUSD as the project's lead agency.
See news coverage.

April 18, 2008 Recall candidates file campaign statements for June 24th special election The Capistrano Dispatch has published the official candidates' statements filed with the OC Registrar before the nomination period expired on April 10th.

April 1, 2008 Kids First? Hardly. Fleming-era trustees' misplaced priorities exposed...again! According to the California Association of Library Trustees and Commissioners, CUSD is ranked the "worst offender" among all OC school districts in failing to provide credentialed librarians. Helene Dykes, executive director of elementary education support at CUSD, confirmed that none of CUSD's schools have credentialed librarians. So it's "kids first" CUSD-style, again, with substandard library services, while administrators like Dykes, work in the district's cushy new $52 million administration building.

March 2008

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March 27, 2008 Fleming-era trustees caught violating the Brown Act...again! The ABC trustees call for intervention by the OC District Attorney in this latest attempt by Fleming-era trustees Draper, Benecke, Darnold and Stiff to illegally conceal critical information from the public on a controversial project involving millions of taxpayer dollars.
See ABC press release and
articles from LA Times and OC Register

March 25, 2008 CUSD board sets date for special recall election - June 24 The date was approved in 5-0 vote at the March 24 board meeting with Trustees Benecke and Draper (the recall targets) abstaining on the advice of district counsel.
See Capistrano Dispatch, San Clemente Times and OC Register stories.

March 24, 2008 CUSD Recall Committee endorses Sue Palazzo and Ken Maddox Please see the attached press release announcing the endorsement by the CUSD Recall Committee of two reform candidates, Sue Palazzo and Ken Maddox, who will run for election to the CUSD Board of Trustees in a special recall election scheduled for June 24th.

Sue Palazzo, 2nd District, and
Ken Maddox, 5th District

March 15, 2008 The Wind of Discontent The Fleming legacy continues to vex the old guard trustees, as depicted by one clever cartoonist.

March 13, 2008 DA confirms old guard violated Brown Act...again; Benecke and Draper: same old dogs, same old tricks The OC District Attorney's Office advised Spt. Woodrow Carter that the old guard CUSD trustees violated the Brown Act again at their Dec 15 board meeting, and criticized the old guard for failing to take corrective action (following their Oct 2007 admissions of guilt and agreements not to violate the law further) by failing to hire legal counsel to advise them at board meetings to prevent future violations and rebuild public confidence. Benecke and Draper can't be recalled soon enough.
See the Mar 13 letter from the DA to superintendent,
the Feb 28 letter to the elected officials who reported the old guard's newest violation,
the Jan 10 complaint letter filed by the elected officials,
the DA's Oct 2007 investigative report
and letter containing summary of findings on old guard Brown Act violations.

March 12, 2008 Old guard plans to fire 265 CUSD teachers More than 1,800 teacher cuts expected county-wide. [1][2].

March 10, 2008 Fireworks at CUSD HQ - Trustee Bryson exposes old guard corruption and incompetence Reacting to news that our recall has been certified, Trustees Marlene Draper and Mike Darnold lashed out at all voters, the press, the ABC reform trustees and the Recall Committee, proving once again that they remain in complete denial about the problems facing CUSD. Trustee Anna Bryson responded on behalf of the reform trustees and exposed the incompetence and corruption of the old guard.
Read Capo Dispatch stories [1][2],
including an audio recording of the speeches, and copies of the pathetic speeches by Darnold
and Draper
and the tremendous rebuttal by Bryson.

March 10, 2008 We did it! Registrar certifies enough petition signatures for special recall election! There is no longer any doubt. Sheila Benecke and Marlene Draper will face a recall election. CUSD Recall leaders: "We are one step closer!"
See Recall Committee press release and
story from Capo Dispatch, LA Times and OC Register.

March 7, 2008 Full Disclosure Network re-releases video series on CUSD corruption Special cable series will air evenings at 6:00PM on OC Cox Cable Channel 31: Parts 1-2, Mar 12 and 19; Parts 3-4, Mar 26 and Apr 2; Parts 5-6, Apr 9 and May 16. See press release.

December 27, 2007 OC Weekly reports on the enigmas that make CUSD stranger than fiction Daffodil Altan's year-end reflections on the surreal, alternate reality that defines CUSD...another reminder of the tragic "accomplishments" of the Fleming-era trustees and the corrupt mindset and denial needed by them to justify such colossal failures.
READ the OC Weekly Story "The Real Portables of South County"

December 24, 2007 Fleming indictment ranked as one of OC's most notorious criminal cases Here is a list of the OC Register's top 20 OC criminal stories for 2007.
READ the OC REgister Story

December 21, 2007 OC Weekly joins in the Holiday fun with "Holy Christmas! Embattled CUSD Trustees and Ex-Sup Join Santa!" Ho! Ho! Ho!
READ the OC Weekly Story
Update, Jan 2, 2008: Sorry, the original dancing elves feature is gone. But it was a good holiday romp while it lasted. But take heart, because now you can
WATCH Updated Dancing Elves Here

December 18, 2007 Holiday fun with the Flemster, Sheila and Marlene

Oh m'gosh! Former CUSD superintendent James Fleming and Trustees Sheila Benecke and Marlene Draper have been elfed! Jimbo may be indicted, and Sheila and Marlene may be the targets of a pending recall, but they haven't lost their holiday spirit ... or their tricky moves.
WATCH Our Little Elves for some hoppin' holiday fun.
Update, Jan 2, 2008: Sorry, the original elves are gone, but it was a good holiday romp while it lasted.
Update, Dec 25, 2008: They're baaaaaack!
WATCH the Updated Dancing Elves

November 2007

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November 27, 2007 Arroyo Vista principal Elaine Hart "retires" abruptly The career of another loyal soldier of the corrupt Fleming regime just came to an abrupt end. 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.

READ the OC Register Story "Arroyo Vista principal retires abruptly"

November 6, 2007 Stadium proposal by recall targets Benecke and Draper rejected At last Monday's board meeting, Trustee Duane Stiff foiled another Benecke and Draper turf war scheme by moving to table the item pending the outcome of an ongoing, district-wide facilities needs assessment. The ABC reform trustees joined Stiff in defeating Benecke, Draper and Darnold, passing the motion 4-3. For background on Benecke's and Draper's unethical tactics, taken right out of the James Fleming strategy book).

READ the Capistrano Dispatch Story "SJHHS Football Stadium on Hold"
READ the OC Register Editorial "Another turf war brewing in CUSD"
READ Speech by Julie Collier, Parents Adviocate League, "Make the Right Choices"

November 1, 2007 Fleming-era trustees admit they held illegal secret meetings; Calls for resignations increase CUSD trustees confess to appease D.A., but refuse to apologize and point fingers to deny responsibility.

READ the Capistrano Dispatch Story "School Trustees Admit Breaking Open-Meeting Law"
READ the Orange County Register Story "CUSD accepts report on law violation"
READ the Orange County Register Story "District appeases D.A.'s Office"
READ the Trabuco Canyon News Story "CUSD Leaders Admit They Held Illegal Secret Meeting"
READ the Trabuco Canyon News Story "CUSD Corruption Results in Calls for Immediate Resignations"

October 2007

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October 31, 2007 The Capistrano Dispatch "Reader Poll" results are in, and the community's message to the Fleming-era trustees is clear...RESIGN NOW! Poll results: an overwhelming 86% said the Fleming-era trustees should "resign now," only 8% said they should "wait until the Nov 2008 election" and an incredibly small 4% said they should "not resign."

October 29, 2007 OC Register joins chorus of elected officials, Republican Central Committee and reform advocates, and calls for Fleming-era trustees to resign
READ the OC Register Editorial "Clouds lifting at CUSD

October 23, 2007 Fleming-era trustees accept D.A. findings, admit to violating Brown Act to avoid civil prosecution, but fail to apologize or accept responsibility ABC's abstain on findings.

READ the Capistrano Dispatch Story "CUSD Trustees Admit Violations"
READ the OC Register Story "CUSD accepts D.A. report"
READ the OC Weekly Story "No More Illegal Secret Meetings at CUSD"

October 22, 2007 Capo board can still do the right thing by holding tonight's session in public
READ the OC Register Column by Frank Mickadeit

October 22, 2007 Take the Capistrano Dispatch "Reader Poll" Let the Fleming-era trustees know it's time for them to take responsibility for their actions, and resign NOW!

October 19, 2007 ABC Reform trustees issue a joint statement re D.A. report confirming systematic open meeting law violations by Fleming-era trustees Addonizio, Bryson and Christensen call for board to conduct the people's business openly and demand accountability from Fleming-era trustees Benecke, Draper, Darnold and Stiff.

READ Joint Statement by ABC Reform Trustees
READ Email Update by CUSD Recall Committee
READ Orange Punch Story by Steven Greenhut
READ Total Buzz Story by Martin Wisckol

October 18, 2007 Reform volunteer calls on parents, taxpayers to demand equity in facilities spending Parents and taxpayers are asked to send emails and attend Nov 5th CUSD board meeting to request hold on spending at SJHHS and demand equity for neglected schools.
READ Volunteer Letter to parents and taxpayers

October 17, 2007 Another turf war brewing in CUSD Marlene Draper and CUSD staff are playing special interest politics again, and setting the stage for more community dissention. At issue: equity in facilities.
READ the Details

October 16, 2007 OC Republican Party demands CUSD trustees resign Resolution passed unanimously by 100 elected leaders asking Fleming-era trustees to resign after D.A. released findings of repeated Brown Act violations.
READ the Details and the OC GOP Press Release

October 15, 2007 Veteran CUSD teachers critical of district's increasing class sizes Say that quality of educational experience is being jeopardized.

READ Public Comments by DHHS teacher Marianne Irwin
READ Public Comments by CVHS teacher Bill Hoffman

October 14, 2007 Trustee Stiff admits the Fleming-era trustees knowingly violated the law! Stiff speaks out and rises above his corrupt Fleming-era colleagues. It's "case closed" for Benecke, Draper and Darnold. The evidence is in and it is time for them to resign.
READ the Details

October 14, 2007 OC Register senior editor reacts to DA report See today's column by Steven Greenhut, who says the new DA report about Capo Unified board's violations of the Brown Act reaffirms that reform advocates were right all along.
READ the OC Register Editorial "The OC gadflies got it right on CUSD"

October 9, 2007 OC District Attorney investigative report confirms Fleming-era trustees repeatedly violated open meeting law DA demands a formal vote by the CUSD trustees admitting guilt to avoid prosecution.
READ Related News Stories

October 9, 2007 OC Weekly reports that DA has caught CUSD in illegal secret meetings DA report finds Capistrano Unified held illegal closed meetings.
READ the OC Weekly Story "Caught In Violation of the Act"

October 5, 2007 Superintendent Carter establishes Intra-District Committees to increase accountability and transparency, and build community trust.
READ Letter by Woodrow Carter

October 5, 2007 Fleming, McGill pretrial hearing continued until December 7th New trial date will be set at that time.
READ the OC Weekly Story

October 5, 2007 Full Disclosure Network® Cable TV and Internet Series on CUSD Recall How Southern California Parents Won Back Their School District
WATCH the Video

October 4, 2007 Mello-Roos audit confirms CUSD diverted millions $1.5 million from RSM spent on Capistrano administration building.
READ the Trabuco Canyon News Story "Mello-Roos Audit Confirms CUSD Diverted Millions"

October 4, 2007 Hundreds Gather to support CUSD Recall Elected officials urge school district leaders to resign.
READ the OC Register Story

October 4, 2007 OC Weekly investigates the ongoing campaign to reform CUSD
READ the OC Weekly Story "Hard Knocks: Three years in the life of the Capistrano Unified School District,"by Daffodil Altan

October 3, 2007 Capistrano district building used Mello-Roos tax CUSD staff justifies diversion of funds, falsely claiming they were spent within the subject facilities district, and repeating district spin that Taj Mahal saves $500,000 per year.
READ the OC Register Story "Capistrano district building used Mello-Roos tax"

October 3, 2007 SJC City Council rescinds 2005 resolution opposing recall of CUSD trustees SJC is now officially neutral, but a majority of council members openly criticized CUSD trustees and administration.
READ the Capistrano Dispatch Story "Neutral on CUSD"

October 2, 2007 Parent leader calls for SJC City Council to rescind its opposition to recall Asks Council to withdraw a 2005 resolution that supported the CUSD trustees and opposed the campaign to recall them.
READ Public Comments by Barbara Casserly

September 2007

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September 28, 2007 Reform advocate identifies basic inequity of CUSD's misplaced priorities Parent volunteer cuts through CUSD spin to uncover district misspending of our tax dollars and the resulting negative impacts on our children.

September 15, 2007 Check out the Board Briefs for the Sep 10, 2007 CUSD Board meeting Change order increases cost of SJHHS to a whopping $154 million! (and still counting), more embarrassing "classic" comments by Marlene Draper, more 4/3 votes as ABC's dissent in the interest of reform, etc.

September 13, 2007 OC Weekly reports on San Juan Hills High - and cuts through the CUSD "happy talk" Travel with OC Weekly reporter Daffodil Altan as she takes a short, strange trip up the winding road to the brand-new, landfill-adjacent San Juan Hills High School - CUSD's $154 million (and counting) "Surreal Estate."
READ OC Weekly Story

September 10, 2007 Welcome Interim Superintendent Carter Public comments delivered at the Sept 10th CUSD board meeting by Tom Russell, Spokesperson for the CUSD Recall Committee
READ Welcome Speech by Tom Russell

August 2007

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August 31, 2007 CUSD Superintendent's Weekly Update: Back to School

First official message from CUSD's newest interim superintendent, Woodrow Carter.

READ the Official Message

August 25, 2007 City Officials Join Call for School Trustees to Step Down

Full Disclosure Network previews newest in series of investigative video news reports on CUSD culture of corruption.

READ the Details

August 24, 2007 OC Weekly assesses recall chances

"A lock. With Fleming already indicted, and a well-seasoned recall team ready for war."
READ the OC Weekly Story

August 22, 2007 CUSD Petitions Approved -- Trustees Sheila Benecke and Marlene Draper to Face Recall

Today the CUSD Recall Committee received confirmation the Orange County Registrar of Voters had approved the Petition to Recall Capistrano Unified School District Trustees Sheila Benecke and Marlene Draper. Recall Proponents may now formally begin the process of collecting signatures from 10% of the registered voters in the School District to qualify the recall election. They have 160 days to circulate and submit petitions.
READ the Details

August 18, 2007 Capistrano Unified hires interim leader

Former military officer, Woodrow Carter, to take over as interim superintendent in September.

READ the Details

August 15, 2007 It's time to take back our school district
Come to the CUSD school board recall kick-off party.
READ the Details

August 14, 2007 Capo Unified won't pay Legal fees of ex-superintendent

The Board of Trustees of the Capistrano Unified School District voted unanimously Monday not to consider a request by former Supt. James Fleming to pay his legal fees stemming from an indictment for allegedly creating enemies lists to thwart a recall.
READ the Details

August 9, 2007 Final petition forms to recall Trustees Benecke and Draper submitted to OC Registrar

On Thursday August 9th, the final petition forms to recall Trustees Sheila Benecke and Marlene Draper were submitted to the OC Registrar. As a result, authorization to start collecting petition signatures should be received during the week of August 20, 2007. After consulting with the recall proponents and the three seated CUSD Reform Trustees, for strategic reasons a decision was made not to circulate petitions to recall Trustees Duane Stiff and Mike Darnold.

July 2007

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Jul 23, 2007 New Outrage: Fleming Asking Taxpayers to Pay for His Criminal Defense!!!

• Fleming Asks Taxpayers to Fund His Criminal Defense.
• Calls for Accountability and Resignations of Fleming-Era Trustees Increase.

READ the Details

July 9, 2007 A plea to the honest employees of CUSD
From the CUSD Recall committee: "For the good of the district, please step forward, do the right thing."
READ the Full Stament

July 2, 2007 "For these reasons, we now serve upon you official recall papers."

Public comments addressed to CUSD trustees at the July 2, 2007 board meeting by CUSD Recall Committee spokeperson, Tom Russell
READ the Speech

June 2007

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June 17, 2007 1990-1991 Grand Jury Report exposes the deep roots of, and players behind the CUSD culture of corruption

Have you read the 1990-1991 Grand Jury report on CUSD’s unethical and illegal conduct during the 1989-1990 Measure A Mello-Roos election? The issues are strikingly similar to those recently exposed in numerous CUSD scandals, and those recently investigated by the Orange County District Attorney and the 2006-2007 Grand Jury, and which recently became the subjects of formal criminal indictments against former superintendent James Fleming and former assistant superintendent Susan McGill. It looks like Benecke, Draper and others at CUSD are up to their old tricks ... very old tricks.
READ the Details
READ the the Grand Jury Report

July 2006

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July 11, 2006 OC Register condemns enemies list at CUSD Editorial describes school district's monitoring of recall-supporting parents "Orwellian" and no small matter.
READ the OC Register Editorial

October 2005

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October 9, 2005 OC Register condemns unethical express advocacy by CUSD principal

Editorial describes anti-recall robo-call by DHHS Principal Carolyn Williams as sleazy and unethical, and another unprincipled CUSD circumvention of the law that is unbalanced and unfair to taxpayers.
READ the OC Register Editorial

LISTEN to the Carolyn Williams Robo-Call:

COMMITTEE TO REFORM CUSD: Restoring honesty, integrity and accountability to public education

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