Dennis Smith
Smith says he listened to some district critics who didn't listen in return
May 31, 2007 Filed in: Smith,
Dennis
Smith said in an interview in early May that he would solve problems by inviting everyone to the table and making sure people felt listened to. At the time, though, he noted some tensions. Smith is the former Superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School District and, currently, the Superintendent of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District.
Recall Committee hoped to work with Smith and held comments pending meeting that was cancelled when he resigned
May 31, 2007 Filed in: Russell,
Tom
See Transcript of CUSD Recall Committee speech delivered to Dennis Smith and the Trustees at the May 7, 2007 board meeting. Russell is a CUSD parent and spokesperson for the CUSD Recall Committee and the Committee to Reform CUSD.
Smith's four guiding principles in budget planning
May 09, 2007 Filed in: Smith,
Dennis
Sam Miller, The Orange County
Register "Smith last week said
he had four guiding principles in budget planning:
ending deficit spending; carrying a larger
reserve; planning with multiyear projections; and
budgeting teacher raises in advance."
Of course the fifth guiding principle - budget cuts - is not even on the list as Denny ignores the elephant in the room. Miller is the South Orange County education reporter for The Orange County Register.
Of course the fifth guiding principle - budget cuts - is not even on the list as Denny ignores the elephant in the room. Miller is the South Orange County education reporter for The Orange County Register.
Smith's plans for the new administration building
May 09, 2007 Filed in: Miller, Sam
Sam Miller, The Orange County
Register "Trustees Monday voted
to lease out one of three wings in the new
administration building. The decision will raise
about $338,000 annually, which will go to older
schools for facilities improvements. The district
will consolidate its operations into the
building's center wing and northernmost section.
About 15,000 square feet in the southern section
will be rented out. No tenant has been identified.
Smith said the district will grow into the
building."
Some residents had criticized the 126,000-square-foot building as too large for the district, and it was at the heart of a failed recall effort in 2005. School district officials moved in a year ago. Miller is the South Orange County education reporter for The Orange County Register.
Some residents had criticized the 126,000-square-foot building as too large for the district, and it was at the heart of a failed recall effort in 2005. School district officials moved in a year ago. Miller is the South Orange County education reporter for The Orange County Register.
Smith presents plan to end years of irresponsible spending habits of Fleming Trustees
May 09, 2007 Filed in: Smith,
Dennis
Sam Miller, The Orange County
Register "Superintendent Dennis
Smith on Monday presented a general plan of cuts,
transfers and new revenues that he said will get
the district out of the habit of spending down
reserves and failing to plan for teachers raises.
The adjustments, which were not voted on by
trustees Monday, will be in the budget the board
considers in June."
Miller is the South Orange County education reporter for The Orange County Register.
Miller is the South Orange County education reporter for The Orange County Register.
Smith touts admin building pros but ignores cons and prudent alternatives
May 09, 2007 Filed in: Smith,
Dennis
District officials continue to promote the Fleming rationale for the new building - consolidation of operations, expansion needs for the next ten years - and a new twist by Smith - lease revenue from the portion of the building to be given to schools in the district. There was no mention of a comprehensive feasibility study to consider more prudent alternatives or any discussion about district-wide priorities and proper allocation of limited capital resources -- just plans to stay in the overbuilt facility until the district grows into it over the next ten years. Smith is the Superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School District.
CUSD will lease a third of its $52 million Taj Mahal for $400,000 per year
May 08, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Volzke is the publisher of the Capistrano Dispatch.
Union president says new superintendent needs to work to let teachers know they’re heard on key issues
May 06, 2007 Filed in: Soderberg,
Vicki
Vicki Soderberg, The Orange County
Register “He needs to improve
communications between teachers and him, and not
have the barriers. With (former superintendent
James) Fleming, it was always a one-way
communication."
Soderberg commented upon the two-year teachers contract tentatively agreed to Monday (May 2) that will cover the 2007-08 school year. Soderberg is the President of the Capistrano Unifed Education Association, a teachers union.
Soderberg commented upon the two-year teachers contract tentatively agreed to Monday (May 2) that will cover the 2007-08 school year. Soderberg is the President of the Capistrano Unifed Education Association, a teachers union.
Trustees hired Smith for several reasons, but based on OC Register report, reform mandate issues were ignored
May 06, 2007 Filed in: Miller, Sam
Sam Miller, The Orange County
Register “Smith, who had been
chief in Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified, was hired
in March to help the district put the tumultuous
summer in the past, to rehabilitate its
relationship with the community and to keep the
schools’ focus on learning.”
Miller is the south-county education reporter for the Orange County Register.
Miller is the south-county education reporter for the Orange County Register.
Smith plans to lease entire wing of Taj Mahal & consolidate operations, calls $52 million admin building a "good investment"
May 08, 2007 Filed in: Miller, Sam
Sam Miller, The Orange County
Register "New Superintendent
Dennis Smith said the move will earn the district
about $338,000 annually, which he will then
distribute to older schools to use as they please
for facilities upgrades. The district will
consolidate its operations into the building's
center wing and northernmost section. The
southernmost section will be rented out ... Smith,
though, said it was a good investment and its size
will be needed as the district grows in the coming
decade."
Miller is the South Orange County education reporter for The Orange County Register.
Miller is the South Orange County education reporter for The Orange County Register.
Superintendent Smith says trustees' plans to open $140 million San Juan Hills High School don't make financial sense
May 07, 2007 Filed in: Smith,
Dennis
Volzke is the publisher of the Capistrano Dispatch.
RSM mayor hopes audit efforts will improve after promise of cooperation from new superintendent
May 01, 2007 Filed in: Beall, Tony
Beall is the Mayor of the City of Rancho Santa Margarita.
Teacher raises will strain district with $4 million more in cuts beyond $9 million shortfall already identified
May 03, 2007 Filed in: Miller, Sam
Sam Miller, The Orange County
Register “Union officials
figure the raises mean 8.19 percent more total pay
over two years. The raises could mean more cuts
for CUSD, which had already faced a $9 million
shortfall after years of deficit spending. A
package of proposed cuts will be announced next
week by new Superintendent Dennis Smith.”
Miller is the South Orange County education reporter for The Orange County Register.
Miller is the South Orange County education reporter for The Orange County Register.
New superintendent gets lucrative compensation package
Mar 13, 2007 Filed in: Miller, Sam
Miller is the education reporter for the Orange County Register.