Taxpayers Going Postal Over Public Employee Pensions, Perks.
Jun 10, 2010 Filed in: Scheer,
Peter
Scheer is Columnist for the First Amendment Coalition.
Board President speaks out on threatened teacher strike
Apr 17, 2010 Filed in: Bryson,
Anna
Bryson is President of the CUSD Board of Trustees. She is one of the CUSD Reform Trustees who was elected in 2006 to bring fiscal responsibility to the school district.
Board President confirms trustees willingness to negotiate
Apr 17, 2010 Filed in: Bryson,
Anna
Bryson is President of the CUSD Board of Trustees. She is one of the CUSD Reform Trustees who was elected in 2006 to bring fiscal responsibility to the school district.
CUSD trustee Ken Lopez-Maddox: The strike vote was politically motivated and not about the teachers’ contract at all
Apr 16, 2010 Filed in: Lopez-Maddox,
Ken
Lopez-Maddox is one of the CUSD Reform Trustees who was elected in 2008 to bring fiscal responsibility to the school district.
Trustee Lopez-Maddox confirms boards willingness to negotiate, but union tactics make it difficult
Apr 16, 2010 Filed in: Lopez-Maddox,
Ken
Also, trustees on Wednesday expressed a willingness to meet with union leaders to discuss whether the pay cut will become temporary – via a non-bargaining route known as a memorandum of understanding – although they said they would not reopen contract negotiations. “We can never make them happy no matter what we try to do,” Lopez-Maddox said. “Every time the teachers union comes to the board and asks for X, we say OK. Then they say, ‘That’s not good enough. We want you to do Y.’ They have a moving target.
Lopez-Maddox is one of the CUSD Reform Trustees who was elected in 2008 to bring fiscal responsibility to the school district.
In response to student sickout, Board President assures constituents their voices are being heard
Apr 15, 2010 Filed in: Bryson,
Anna
Capistrano Unified school board President Anna Bryson said she was relieved the absence rates weren't higher and that she regretted many students had missed a day of their education. But she also stressed that trustees were hearing the message of their constituents.
Bryson is President of the CUSD Board of Trustees. She is one of the CUSD Reform Trustees who was elected in 2006 to bring fiscal responsibility to the school district.
Board President confirms district’s good faith willingness to discuss expiration date for pay cuts
Apr 14, 2010 Filed in: Bryson,
Anna
Bryson is President of the CUSD Board of Trustees. She is one of the CUSD Reform Trustees who was elected in 2006 to bring fiscal responsibility to the school district.
Capo Superintendent calls attention to misinformation driving sickout
Apr 13, 2010 Filed in: Mahler,
Bobbi
Interim Superintendent Bobbi Mahler addresses one of the letters driving the misguided and illegal April 13th student sickout staged by teachers and union sympathizers.
Prosecutors say says McGill memo to Fleming is smoking gun
Apr 02, 2010 Filed in: McGill,
Susan
McGill is a former CUSD Assistant Superintendent who served during the James Fleming administration. In 2006, Fleming and McGill were indicted on multiple felony counts for alleged criminal behavior while serving at CUSD.
Trustee Lopez-Maddox says board will not accept union recommendation for more job losses and bigger classes
Apr 02, 2010 Filed in: Lopez-Maddox,
Ken
Lopez-Maddox is one of the CUSD Reform Trustees who was elected in 2008 to bring fiscal responsibility to the school district.
Trustee Lopez-Maddox sympathizes with students’ attachment to teachers, but says disrupting studies over complex financial issues serves no purpose
Apr 02, 2010 Filed in: Lopez-Maddox,
Ken
Lopez-Maddox is one of the CUSD Reform Trustees who was elected in 2008 to bring fiscal responsibility to the school district.
Student rally organizer tries to justify civil disobedience
Apr 02, 2010 Filed in: Song,
David
Board President supports students’ free speech rights but reminds them of their responsibility to follow the law
Apr 02, 2010 Filed in: Bryson,
Anna
Bryson is President of the CUSD Board of Trustees. She is one of the CUSD Reform Trustees who was elected in 2006 to bring fiscal responsibility to the school district.
Aliso Viejo High principal says students who participate in walk out will face consequences
Apr 02, 2010 Filed in: Salter,
Charles
Salter is the Principal of Aliso Niguel High School in Aliso Viejo.
Dana Hills High principal says students who participate in walk out will face consequences
Apr 02, 2010 Filed in: Nye,
Robert
Nye is the Principal of Dana Hills High School in Dana Point.
Board President: Trustees are acting as thoughtful, conservative financial evaluators, serving teachers, students and constituents
Mar 30, 2010 Filed in: Bryson,
Anna
Bryson is President of the CUSD Board of Trustees. She is one of the CUSD Reform Trustees who was elected in 2006 to bring fiscal responsibility to the school district.
Board President committed to keeping campaign promises to voters
Mar 30, 2010 Filed in: Bryson,
Anna
Bryson is President of the CUSD Board of Trustees. She is one of the CUSD Reform Trustees who was elected in 2006 to bring fiscal responsibility to the school district.
Board President: Board’s decision made in spirit of compromise and based on balancing of interests
Mar 29, 2010 Filed in: Bryson,
Anna
Bryson is President of the CUSD Board of Trustees. She is one of the CUSD Reform Trustees who was elected in 2006 to bring fiscal responsibility to the school district.
Board President: Unprecedented economic turmoil necessitates personal sacrifice, including teachers
Mar 29, 2010 Filed in: Bryson,
Anna
Bryson is President of the CUSD Board of Trustees. She is one of the CUSD Reform Trustees who was elected in 2006 to bring fiscal responsibility to the school district.
District counsel pleased court ruled no specific cause needed to fire Carter, even though plenty of causes were specified
Mar 19, 2010 Filed in: Kossy,
Phillip
Judge dismisses ex-Capo chief's $5.5 million lawsuit; Carter deemed an at-will employee
Mar 19, 2010 Filed in: Perk,
Steven
O.C. GOP leaders oppose union-backed attempt to recall fiscally responsible CUSD reform trustees
Feb 17, 2010 Filed in: Baugh,
Scott
Baugh made this statement after the Orange County Republican Party's 73-member Central Committee unanimously passed a resolution opposing a recall effort against two Capistrano Unified trustees and accused "public employee unions and their allies" of "unjustly" targeting trustees Ken Lopez-Maddox and Mike Winsten in the recall attempt, which began last month.
Baugh is Chairman of the O.C. GOP Central Committee.
O.C. GOP leaders applaud CUSD reform leader for impeccable record of honesty and integrity
Feb 17, 2010 Filed in: Baugh,
Scott
Baugh is Chairman of the O.C. GOP Central Committee.
Plaintiffs in civil rights suit against Fleming, McGill & Old Guard Trustees forego legitimate damages claims to protect CUSD
Aug 13, 2009 Filed in: Peabody,
Timothy
Peabody is Plaintiffs’ counsel and Feldhake is counsel for the Joint Powers Authority that insures CUSD. In Beall vs. Fleming, parents who had been denied their constitutional and other rights sued those responsible, including James Fleming, Susan McGill, the seven old guard Fleming trustees and CUSD, for damages of nearly $50 million. When Plaintiffs learned that the JPA was not obligated to defend or indemnify CUSD due to the intentional nature of the offenses committed by the individual defendants, and that CUSD would be forced by the individual defendants to defend and indemnify them at great expense to the district, the Plaintiffs offered to settle the case for a drastically reduced amount with the JPA to prevent financial harm to CUSD. So, on the recommendation of defense counsel and by agreement of all the parties, the case was settled and the JPA paid the Plaintiffs and Plaintiffs’ counsel a total settlement of approximately $178,000.
Disgraced Marlene Draper spouted utter contempt for the voters she represented
Sep 09, 2008 Filed in: Draper,
Marlene
The OC Register published this excerpt from a report by the OC District Attorney, dated September 2, 2008. Draper's statement was quoted from a February 25th closed session board meeting to discuss a permanent employment contract for Superintendent Carter. Draper's comment was in response to reform trustees Ellen Addonizio, Anna Bryson and Larry Christensen, who argued that a proposed $58,000-a-year raise was too high in light of the district's pending fiscal crisis. Their point was that such excesses were not in the best interests of the "them" in question...the constituents of CUSD. The District Attorney took issue with Draper's insulting, wrong-headed remark, concluding the report by mocking Draper with the obvious truth: "It is all about them."
Dangerous pipeline at SJHHS? District spokeswoman sets stage for more CUSD finger-pointing, cites report “approved” by CDE
Apr 18, 2008 Filed in: De Nicola,
Beverly
Ignoring the fact that any “approval” by the CDE was based on information provided by CUSD (as lead agency) through its staff (like Dave Doomey) and its consultants (like Culbertson Adams), De Nicola sets the stage for the district to deny responsibility and point its finger at the state. De Nicola is spokeswoman for CUSD.
Darnold follows Draper's example, telling outright lies to cover up the disgusting truth about the decrepit facilities at CUSD
Mar 10, 2008 Filed in: Darnold,
Mike
This statement is an outright lie. The pictures of decrepit portables were taken by recall volunteers after the recall campaign began. Because the old guard trustees had allowed CUSD classroom and other facilities to fall into such disrepair for so many years, such photo opportunities were readily available throughout the district at that time. Only after recall proponents embarrassed Superintendent Fleming and the old guard trustees by revealing the disgusting truth about the conditions they had caused by years of neglect, did the district begin making some improvements, many of which were, and remain, only cosmetic. Read More...
Darnold blames and attacks the press, proving once more that he doesn't have a clue
Mar 10, 2008 Filed in: Darnold,
Mike
Darnold read this statement from a prepared speech he read from the dais at the March 10, 2008 CUSD board meeting. Darnold is one of the Fleming-era CUSD trustees.
Darnold blames and attacks the ABC reform trustees, completely ignoring the problems created by the old guard
Mar 10, 2008 Filed in: Darnold,
Mike
Darnold read this statement from a prepared speech he read from the dais at the March 10, 2008 CUSD board meeting. Darnold is one of the Fleming-era CUSD trustees.
Darnold tries to frame the issues and direct the press, but misstates every reform goal due to his ignorance of real reform issues and his complete denial of the real problems at CUSD
Mar 10, 2008 Filed in: Darnold,
Mike
Darnold read this statement from a prepared speech he read from the dais at the March 10, 2008 CUSD board meeting. Darnold is one of the Fleming-era CUSD trustees.
RSM councilmember says responsibility for money or effort wasted on recall election falls on the Fleming trustees.
Mar 10, 2008 Filed in: Beall,
Tony
Beall is a Rancho Santa Margarita councilmember and a member of the CUSD Recall Committee.
DA concludes old guard did violate Brown Act...again; District spokeswoman Beverly De Nicola’s spin about the “perception” of a Brown Act violation was wrong
Feb 28, 2008 Filed in: Hess, Dan
Dan Hess, Letter to South OC Elected
Officials "It appears that the
CUSD Trustees who voted for these additional
projects did violate the Brown Act by failing to
adequately describe – on the agenda – items to be
discussed in open session…since each project had
been planned and discussed separately, and since all
of the projects are controversial, each one should
have been individually noticed on the
agenda."
The DA's conclusion shows that CUSD attorney Ron Wenkart's "analysis" was wrong again, as alleged by reform advocates. Wenkart presented the sleazy, flawed analysis and De Nicola announced it as cover for the Fleming-era trustees who had been warned about the the violation before their Dec 10 vote. Without Wenkart's "opinion" to coverup their intent to violate the law and their October 2007 agreement with DA, Trustees Benecke, Draper, Darnold and Stiff could (and should) have been prosecuted as criminals. Hess is Senior Deputy District Attorney for the Special Prosecution Unit of the Office of the Orange County District Attorney.
The DA's conclusion shows that CUSD attorney Ron Wenkart's "analysis" was wrong again, as alleged by reform advocates. Wenkart presented the sleazy, flawed analysis and De Nicola announced it as cover for the Fleming-era trustees who had been warned about the the violation before their Dec 10 vote. Without Wenkart's "opinion" to coverup their intent to violate the law and their October 2007 agreement with DA, Trustees Benecke, Draper, Darnold and Stiff could (and should) have been prosecuted as criminals. Hess is Senior Deputy District Attorney for the Special Prosecution Unit of the Office of the Orange County District Attorney.
Teacher's union leader blames governor for ALL of CUSD's financial woes, ignores Fleming-era trustees role in crisis
Feb 14, 2008 Filed in: Soderberg,
Vicki
Vicki Soderberg, The Capistrano
Dispatch “We have no one to blame
but the governor of California. To ask teachers and
children to bear the burden of their mismanagement
up there in Sacramento is immoral.”
That's great, Vicki. Fleming would be proud. We certainly wouldn't want to tell the whole story and risk ruffling the feathers of the Fleming-era trustees who were responsible for the majority of CUSD's financial crisis (years of deficit spending). Better to point fingers at a common foe and suck up to the lame ducks who just might hold the line on those non-classroom cuts a little longer before they get booted from office for years of neglect and mismanagement. Soderberg is president of the Capistrano Unified Education Association.
That's great, Vicki. Fleming would be proud. We certainly wouldn't want to tell the whole story and risk ruffling the feathers of the Fleming-era trustees who were responsible for the majority of CUSD's financial crisis (years of deficit spending). Better to point fingers at a common foe and suck up to the lame ducks who just might hold the line on those non-classroom cuts a little longer before they get booted from office for years of neglect and mismanagement. Soderberg is president of the Capistrano Unified Education Association.
CUSD spokeswoman admits district was in financial crisis BEFORE state cutbacks
Jan 23, 2008 Filed in: De Nicola,
Beverly
Beverly de Nicola, Los Angeles
Times "The district made $13
million in cuts this year, and $7.5 million of next
year's cuts were planned before the governor
announced billions of dollars in cuts to public
schools earlier this month."
Due to years of mismanagement and deficit spending by the Fleming regime, CUSD already faced a financial crisis before the recent state cutbacks were announced. This is the inconvenient truth the senior trustees and staff will attempt to cover up by pointing their dishonest fingers at the state. The Fleming trustees and staff are responsible for the draconian cuts already planned due to the pre-existing financial disaster they created. Now, due to years incompetence, they have assured that the impact of the state cutbacks will be even worse for CUSD than many other, more responsible districts. De Nicola is spokeswoman for CUSD.
Due to years of mismanagement and deficit spending by the Fleming regime, CUSD already faced a financial crisis before the recent state cutbacks were announced. This is the inconvenient truth the senior trustees and staff will attempt to cover up by pointing their dishonest fingers at the state. The Fleming trustees and staff are responsible for the draconian cuts already planned due to the pre-existing financial disaster they created. Now, due to years incompetence, they have assured that the impact of the state cutbacks will be even worse for CUSD than many other, more responsible districts. De Nicola is spokeswoman for CUSD.
Talega parent calls ABC committee members' experience "tragic" and "an injustice"; process criticized as unproductive and mismanaged by district
Jan 08, 2008 Filed in: Blischke,
Jessica
Jessica Blischke, Sun Post
News “It came down to the
fact that these poor people had to sit there for
hours and listen to these irate citizens. It was
tragic to realize this poor committee did not want
to be there. It was truly an injustice, not only to
the people who had to sit on the committee, but to
everyone who sat there until the bitter end.”
The committee is down to 17 members (from 24) , and the members who resigned said the process was unproductive and being poorly managed by the district. Former committee members say they are frustrated by the way their hands are tied. Given the district’s framework and deadline for finding a solution, there is no way to make a recommendation without upsetting parents, they say. Committee members and parents reported that the contentious six-hour meeting dissolved into personal attacks, name-calling and a lack of order, with one father refusing to yield the podium after his three-minute maximum time and one committee member quitting on the spot. Blischke, 34, of Talega, has a 3-year-old who would be affected by a boundary change.
The committee is down to 17 members (from 24) , and the members who resigned said the process was unproductive and being poorly managed by the district. Former committee members say they are frustrated by the way their hands are tied. Given the district’s framework and deadline for finding a solution, there is no way to make a recommendation without upsetting parents, they say. Committee members and parents reported that the contentious six-hour meeting dissolved into personal attacks, name-calling and a lack of order, with one father refusing to yield the podium after his three-minute maximum time and one committee member quitting on the spot. Blischke, 34, of Talega, has a 3-year-old who would be affected by a boundary change.
Former ABC committee member exposes flawed boundary assessment process and district's failure to take responsibility
Jan 06, 2008 Filed in: Frantz,
Ron
Ron Frantz, The Orange County
Register, "The whole process is
flawed. The school district doesn't take
responsibility. When the heat comes, they put
parents in front to deflect the heat of something
that is truly their responsibility."
Like the parent-on-parent brawl set up by Marlene Draper and her Fleming-era trustee colleagues on December 6th over the SJHHS stadium bid issue, the trustees and their administration once again avoid responsibility by placing inexperienced parents in untenable positions, pitting parent against parent, while staying out of the line of fire. Frantz, 50, is a parent and former Attendance Boundary Committee member and parent of Mission Viejo, who resigned from the committee during last month's public hearing.
Like the parent-on-parent brawl set up by Marlene Draper and her Fleming-era trustee colleagues on December 6th over the SJHHS stadium bid issue, the trustees and their administration once again avoid responsibility by placing inexperienced parents in untenable positions, pitting parent against parent, while staying out of the line of fire. Frantz, 50, is a parent and former Attendance Boundary Committee member and parent of Mission Viejo, who resigned from the committee during last month's public hearing.
OC Weekly sees through the thin veneer of high test scores and exposes the real reform issues in CUSD
Dec 27, 2007 Filed in: Altan,
Daffodil
Altan is a reporter for OC Weekly.
Capistrano Dispatch editor agrees that CUSD should address essential, safety and classroom needs before pools and stadiums
Nov 09, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Volzke is the editor of the The Capistrano Dispatch.
Trustee Stiff and the ABC Trustees put SJHHS stadium on hold pending outcome of district-wide facilities needs assessment
Nov 07, 2007 Filed in: Stiff,
Duane
CUSD school board member Duane Stiff moved to table a staff recommendation to put a proposed football stadium at San Juan Hills High School out for contractor bids. The ABC Reform Trustees joined Stiff and passed the motion 4-3.
CUSD parent joins district-wide outcry: before building a new stadium, fix broken schools
Nov 07, 2007 Filed in: Collier,
Julie
Julie Collier, The Orange County
Register “It’s disappointing that
they’re even considering the stadium. They need to
take care of broken schools first and focus on
education, especially at the lower levels. As kids
get older, they could be at greater risk.”
Collier is a CUSD parent and resident of Mission Viejo who spoke on behalf of Parents Advocate League at the November 5, 2007 CUSD board meeting. Click here to read her speech.
Collier is a CUSD parent and resident of Mission Viejo who spoke on behalf of Parents Advocate League at the November 5, 2007 CUSD board meeting. Click here to read her speech.
District sycophant Kutnick tows party line for Benecke and Draper by ignoring facilities equity and hypocritically accusing others of politically exploiting children
Nov 07, 2007 Filed in: Kutnick,
Erin
Kutnick made these remarks after the November 5, 2007 CUSD board meeting where she spoke as an advocate of a new stadium for San Juan Hills High School. Kutnick is a long-time advocate of the old guard Fleming trustees and an outspoken opponent of reform at CUSD. Kutnick's statements were hypocritical since it was her anti-masterplan-pro-stadium-spending crowd who flagrantly used their own children as political pawns that night. By contrast, not one of her opponents objected to the stadium (they just wanted to fix broken schools first), and not one of them brought their children to the meeting as political pawns to put emotional pressure on the trustees.
When the meeting was over, Kutnick approached the dais to publicly deride Trustee Stiff (who had made the motion to table the item) and then, in a tantrum, she stepped outside the room where she loudly criticized her opponents, using profanity within earshot of SJHHS children who had attended the meeting that night. Nice touch, Erin! Kutnick has children who attend San Juan Hills High School and Capistrano Valley High School.
OC Register joins chorus of elected leaders, Republican Central Committee members and reform advocates and call for Fleming-era trustees to resign
Oct 29, 2007 Filed in: OC
Register
OC Register: Fleming-era trustees' open meetings law violations were serious and chronic
Oct 29, 2007 Filed in: OC
Register
Appellate court hears recall proponents' arguments, cites election code and takes case under submission
Oct 24, 2007 Filed in: Moore,
Eileen
Appellants' counsel, Mark Rosen, argued that the disqualified petitions, which he said cost the parents the recall election, violated the spirit of the law.
OC Register's Mickadeit explains the "flagrant, obnoxious" and "corrupt" nature of the Fleming trustees' Brown Act violations
Oct 22, 2007 Filed in: Mickadeit,
Frank
Mickadeit is a columnist for The Orange County Register.
OC Register's Mickadeit reveals slimey way Fleming trustees avoided a well-deserved criminal prosecution
Oct 22, 2007 Filed in: Mickadeit,
Frank
Mickadeit is a columnist for The Orange County Register.
OC Register columnist emphasizes absurdity of trustee Draper's defense to repeated Brown Act violations
Oct 22, 2007 Filed in: Mickadeit,
Frank
Mickadeit is a columnist for The Orange County Register.
Former trustee Casabianca spills the beans: admits one of the real reasons the Fleming trustees intentiaonally violated the Brown Act
Oct 22, 2007 Filed in: Mickadeit,
Frank
Mickadeit is a columnist for The Orange County Register.
OC Register columnist has no doubt the Fleming trustees knew they were violating the Brown Act
Oct 22, 2007 Filed in: Mickadeit,
Frank
Mickadeit is a columnist for the Orange County Register.
Fleming-era trustees can't be trusted in closed meetings, especially in judgment of children with zero tolerance policies they would never apply to themselves
Oct 22, 2007 Filed in: Russell,
Tom
Russell made these remarks during Public Comments. Russell is the spokesperson for the CUSD Recall COmmittee.
County counsel denies advising Draper on Brown Act after she blamed him to save her own skin under oath
Oct 18, 2007 Filed in: Wenkart,
Ron
Past board president Marlene Draper contended in her grand-jury testimony that the closed meetings and the board’s non-disclosure were legal because all of the agendas for Saturday performance-evaluation meetings were pre-approved by counsel from the Orange County Department of Education. But Ron Wenkart, general counsel for the department and the attorney who would have approved such agendas at the time, says he has no records of him or anyone in his office ever having conversations with Fleming about the Brown Act or of approving CUSD closed meeting agendas.
CUSD's large classes are making teaching a test of endurance, rather than a creative, interactive process
Oct 15, 2007 Filed in: Hoffman,
Bill
Hoffman made this statement during public comments at the October 15 2007 CUSD Board of Trustees meeting. Hoffman is a 31-year teaching veteran who teaches economics and laptop geography at Capo Valley High School.
Teacher believes large classes have already pushed CUSD passed the threshold of a positive learning environment
Oct 15, 2007 Filed in: Hoffman,
Bill
Hoffman made this statement during public comments at the October 15 2007 CUSD Board of Trustees meeting. Hoffman is a 31-year teaching veteran who teaches economics and laptop geography at Capo Valley High School.
Teacher says, with CUSD's increasing class sizes, students get less individual attention and teachers burn out
Oct 15, 2007 Filed in: Hoffman,
Bill
Hoffman made this statement during public comments at the October 15 2007 CUSD Board of Trustees meeting. Hoffman is a 31-year teaching veteran who teaches economics and laptop geography at Capo Valley High School.
CUSD teacher says district "plays with" statistics, touting 94% as going on to higher learning, when less than 45% complete four years
Oct 15, 2007 Filed in: Irwin,
Marianne
Irwin made this statement during public comments at the October 15, 2007 CUSD Board of Trustees meeting. Irwin is a 36-year teaching veteran who teaches world literature at Dana Hills High School.
CUSD teacher concerned about district's emphasis on standards, while quality of educational experience suffers
Oct 15, 2007 Filed in: Irwin,
Marianne
Irwin made this statement during public comments at the October 15 2007 CUSD Board of Trustees meeting. Irwin is a 36-year teaching veteran who teaches world literature at Dana Hills High School.
Stiff drives effort to indemnify trustees; makes no distinction based on scope of employment or alleged criminal activity
Sep 11, 2007 Filed in: Stiff,
Duane
Thanks for clearing that up for us, Duane. A lot of people have been confused about that "serving the public part" of what Fleming was doing when he got caught. Maybe you could stop thinking about protecting your own hide long enough to explain how this is good for the district and the constituents you are supposed to be "serving." Stiff is a Fleming-era CUSD trustee.
Trustee Addonizio calls Fleming trustees' failure to hold Fleming accountable, "reprehensible"
Sep 01, 2007 Filed in: Addonizio,
Ellen
Ellen Addonizio and Anna Bryson, two of the newly-elected members of the CUSD Board of Trustees agreed to be interviewed by the press. Addonizio and Bryson both called for the remaining Fleming-era trustees to be held accountable.
Trustee Bryson calls for Fleming trustees to be held accountable
Sep 01, 2007 Filed in: Bryson,
Anna
Anna Bryson and Ellen Addonizio, two of the newly-elected members of the CUSD Board of Trustees agreed to be interviewed by the press. Addonizio and Bryson both called for the remaining Fleming-era trustees to be held accountable.
RSM Councilmenber says Fleming trustees are complict in CUSD scandals and should resign
Sep 01, 2007 Filed in: Blais,
Neil
In response to the indictments and continuing problems in beleaguered CUSD, local officials from across South Orange County are now speaking out and demanding change. Blais is a Councilmember of the City of Rancho Santa Margarita.
RSM Mayor Pro Tem calls for Fleming trustees to step aside for the good of the community
Sep 01, 2007 Filed in: Thompson,
Gary
In response to the indictments and continuing problems in beleaguered CUSD, local officials from across South Orange County are now speaking out and demanding change. Thompson is Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Rancho Santa Margarita.
Trustee Bryson supports board decision to hire Carter as CUSD's new interim superintendent
Sep 01, 2007 Filed in: Bryson,
Anna
Bryson is one of the ABC reform trustees.
More CUSD happy tak - but the truth is, SJHHS access is so dangerous, pilot cars are needed to escort parents and students
Aug 30, 2007 Filed in: Dixon,
Joe
Do you think, Joe? A pilot car will guide staggered groups of vehicles through construction on La Pata, BUT district officials said they may allow drivers to move freely through the area if traffic becomes backed up. So, CUSD admits this drastic safety measure is needed to mitigate obvious danger and comply with the terms of the district's EIR, but the district could suspend this badly needed and embarrassing safety measure if traffic backs up too badly. After all these years, and $140 million (and counting) spent, this is the best our CUSD facilities planning wizzards can do? Dixon is executive director of Capistrano Unified’s maintenance and operations.
More CUSD excuses - new SJHHS principal offers more pap to gloss over planning failures and serious safety issues
Aug 30, 2007 Filed in: Ferruzzo,
Tony
Sure, Tony. Just keep up the excuses and happy talk to cover-up another long-term facilities planning disaster from the folks at CUSD. And keep pointing fingers at the roadway as the culprit behind the delays. Be sure to ignore the fact that even now much of the campus looks more like a construction zone that a school. And good luck getting CUSD to take responsibility for the delays for which they clearly were responsible. Ferruzzo is the principal (and spokeshole) of CUSD's newest high school, the controversial, $140 million (and counting) San Juan Hills High School, that has experienced numerous cost overruns, delays and continues to raise serious safety, financing, contracting, facilities equity, environmental and other important issues, yet to be explained by the CUSD trustees or administration.
Board vice president says Carter made necessary changes at FSUSD, and is disappointed that he is leaving the district
Aug 19, 2007 Filed in: Griffin,
Anne
Griffin explained that the FSUSD trustees voted in the spring to extend Carter's contract to 2010. Griffin is vice president of the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District.
FSUSD board president describes Carter as a "change agent" and laments loss of Carter to CUSD
Aug 19, 2007 Filed in: Falati,
Gary
Carter started out as a superintendent for Bourbon County Schools and served as interim superintendent and state administrator for Floyd County Schools, both in Kentucky, before being hired as a deputy superintendent for the Oakland Unified School District in 2003, which at the time was facing a multi-million dollar deficit. The Fairfield-Suisun trustees voted to hire Carter in March of 2005. Falati said that the changes were necessitated by thousands of students that had fallen behind in math, English, or science. Falati is the Governing Board President of Fairfield-Suisun USD.
Benecke welcomes and praises new interim superintendent Woodrow Carter
Aug 19, 2007 Filed in: Superintendent
CUSD Board President Sheila Benecke made these remarks in an official CUSD statement.
Christensen agrees with constituents - district should not pay Fleming's criminal attorney fees
Aug 17, 2007 Filed in: Christensen,
Larry
CUSD Trustee Christensen commented after 21 individuals spoke at the August 13, 2007 CUSD board meeting in opposition to Fleming's request for criminal attorney fees (which trustee Marlene Draper brought to motion).
Christensen explains board's decision not to pay Fleming's defense costs
Aug 15, 2007 Filed in: Christensen,
Larry
Christensen was elected to the CUSD Board of Trustees as one of the ABC Reform candidates in November of 2006.
President of classified employees union: payment of Fleming's attorney's fees would be unfair
Aug 15, 2007 Filed in: Walen,
Ronda
Walen is the president of CUSD's classified employees union, and made this remark while noting that CUSD recently laid off workers.
Mission Viejo resident: payment of Fleming's legal fees would constitute misplaced priorities
Aug 15, 2007 Filed in: Henry,
Kelly
Kelly Henry, The Orange County
Register "When the kids start
(school), the teachers ask, 'Can you bring in
Kleenex boxes, because we don't get money for that.
It'd be ridiculous if we're paying for his legal
fees when teachers … are asking for Kleenex boxes."
Henry is a Mission Viejo resident.
Henry is a Mission Viejo resident.
Bryson says denial of Fleming's criminal attorney's fees request is in district's best interest
Aug 14, 2007 Filed in: Bryson,
Anna
Bryson was elected to the CUSD Board of Trustees as one of the ABC Reform candidates in November of 2006.
CUSD spokesperson says CUSD is a 'full disclosure' agency, but district stonewalling tells a different story
Jul 23, 2007 Filed in: De Nicola,
Beverly |
Dixon,
Joe
Beverly DeNicola, email to The Full
Disclosure Network "When we
talked a few weeks ago you said that our district
was stonewalling. I pointed out that you and I had
never talked, and that I would be happy to provide
you with any any information any time, just as I do
with reporters and members of the public. I have
spoken to our Board President, and Mrs. Benecke has
asked me to provide you with information on her
behalf. Neither she nor I will be available for an
on-camera interview at this time. I am looking
forward to receiving the questions that you said you
would be sending to me. I will respond completely
and honestly to your questions, except that, as I
stated before, I am unable to address questions that
go to the recall, which is a political process, or
the legal process involving our former employees.
CUSD is a 'full disclosure' agency. Give us a chance
to prove that to you."
DeNicola sent this to Full Disclosure in response to an email from Leslie Dutton, whose repeated attempts to interview the CUSD trustees and Superintendent Fleming for nearly two years had been rejected by the district. As CUSD's Director of Communications, DeNicola carries on the tradition of her predecessor, David Smollar, by spinning to cover the district's obvious stonewalling.
DeNicola sent this to Full Disclosure in response to an email from Leslie Dutton, whose repeated attempts to interview the CUSD trustees and Superintendent Fleming for nearly two years had been rejected by the district. As CUSD's Director of Communications, DeNicola carries on the tradition of her predecessor, David Smollar, by spinning to cover the district's obvious stonewalling.
Leslie Dutton recounts the details of the stonewalling district spokesperson DeNicola tries to hide
Jul 23, 2007 Filed in: Dutton,
Leslie
Leslie Dutton, email to Beverly
DeNicola "Attached
to this Email is the Full Disclosure letter to CUSD
Board President Marlene Draper, Dated February 14,
2006. The letter documents our first request fir
interview was in September of 2005 and the numerous
other requests to the Trustees via Certified Mail.
And our request to interview Superintendent Fleming
via the Director of Communications, David Smollar."
"In the third week of June this year (2007) Full Disclosure requested an interview with the CUSD Board President Sheila Benecke and spoke to you at length about our frustrations about how it appears that we are being stonewalled by the Trustees. At that time you told me you would get back to me in July with an answer about setting up an interview with Trustee Sheila Benecke."
"Today it is the last week in July, and when Full Disclosure called to follow up with you, you told us that you will be going on vacation stating Wednesday. We are in the final week of production of our 'CUSD Update' and have waited all this time to hear from you."
"In the third week of June this year (2007) Full Disclosure requested an interview with the CUSD Board President Sheila Benecke and spoke to you at length about our frustrations about how it appears that we are being stonewalled by the Trustees. At that time you told me you would get back to me in July with an answer about setting up an interview with Trustee Sheila Benecke."
"Today it is the last week in July, and when Full Disclosure called to follow up with you, you told us that you will be going on vacation stating Wednesday. We are in the final week of production of our 'CUSD Update' and have waited all this time to hear from you."
Smith does right by his old district, but ignored or covered up bad priorities and waste at CUSD
Jul 19, 2007 Filed in: Smith,
Dennis
So, after Smith prematurely announced his implausible plan to "grow into" the CUSD Taj Mahal last May, he now gets his priorities straight as he helps the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District spend virtually all of $195 million in bond funds on improvements for children. Too bad he couldn't have been correspondingly honest and candid about the unresponsive and out-of-touch Fleming trustees who wasted tens of millions of redevelopment funds and tax revenues on improvements that could have, but did not benefit the children. Smith is the former CUSD interim superintendent who resigned six days after the Orange County District Attorney announced indictments against former CUSD administrators James Fleming and Susan McGill. Smith quickly retreated to resume his duties as superintendent of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District, a post he never technically quit while acting as interim superintendent at CUSD.
Draper spins herself sleezy, under oath, to justify secret meetings
Jul 08, 2007 Filed in: Draper,
Marlene
This is Draper's testimony before the grand jury as she tried to defend the board of trustees' illegal, secret behavior. Since "secret" and "confidential" are synonymous, she offers a difference without a distinction. Now that really smells.
Former Trustee John Casabianca changes his testimony and joins Marlene Draper in dishing out district doublespeak
Jul 08, 2007 Filed in: Casabianca,
John
So, first, Casabianca swears the timing of the settlement was about the recall and, then, he swears it wasn't. Plausible? Hardly. But OK under the advice of CUSD's attorneys! Guess that's why we taxpayers pay those legal beagles the big bucks.
Draper spins herself deeper and deeper to justify secret meetings
Jul 08, 2007 Filed in: Lubinski,
Michael
Deputy District Attorney Michael Lubinski repeatedly asked how issues such as the road-naming were relevant to Superintendent Fleming's performance evaluation (the justification used by Fleming and the Board for conducting closed-door meetings to discuss virtually every aspect of the district's business). Trustee Marlene Draper told prosecutors that the board needed to consider a broad swath of topics to evaluate Fleming.
Draper reveals yet another excuse for not discussing the peoples' business in public
Jul 08, 2007 Filed in: Draper,
Marlene
Thanks for the explanation, Marlene. At least now we can all rest easy knowing that the improper concealment of your financial mismanagement wasn’t your only purpose when you violated the state’s open meetings law.
Fleming refuses to testify, takes the 5th; McGill testifies, is charged with perjury
Jul 08, 2007 Filed in: Fleming,
James
Susan McGill denies creating enemies list, but her secretary Bobbie Thacker reveals McGill's involvement
Jul 08, 2007 Filed in: McGill,
Susan
Civil charges planned against Capistrano Unified officials
Jul 08, 2007 Filed in: Schroeder,
Susan
Sheila Benecke's arrogant, caustic tongue dishonors CUSD again, demonstrating she is unworthy to serve
Jun 05, 2007 Filed in: Benecke,
Sheila
Benecke made these caustic remarks at the June 4, 2007 Borad meeting. Such lack of decorum proved that Benecke, the Queen of Mean, was the real jackass, and after spewing such venom from the dais, Benecke left no doubt who the real snake was. Volzke is the publisher of The Capistrano Dispath.
Recall Committee calls for Fleming-era trustees to resign or face recall
Jun 01, 2007 Filed in: Russell,
Tom
Russell is a CUSD parent and spokesperson for the CUSD Recall Committee and the Committee to Reform CUSD.
Additional indictments against the CUSD leadership may still be issued
Jun 01, 2007 Filed in: Rackauckas,
Tony
Rackauckus is the Orange County District Attorney.
Grand jury found no legitimate educational purpose for enemies lists
Jun 01, 2007 Filed in: Rackauckas,
Tony
Rackauckus is the Orange County District Attorney.
Resources of cash-strapped district shifted from students to unlawful purposes
Jun 01, 2007 Filed in: Rackauckas,
Tony
Rackauckus is the Orange County District Attorney.
Fleming trustees failed to exercise oversight of Fleming, failed to protect CUSD families
Jun 01, 2007 Filed in: Beall,
Tony
Beall is the mayor of the City of Rancho Santa Margarita and a member of the CUSD Recall Committee.
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 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.
RSM mayor says Trustees were informed of serious wrongdoing, but chose to ignore evidence and participate in cover up
May 26, 2007 Filed in: Beall,
Tony
Beall is the mayor of the City of Rancho Santa Margarita and a member of the CUSD Recall Committee.
Stiff rebuffs calls for his resignation, taunts reformers and reveals his arrogant, Fleming-era roots
May 26, 2007 Filed in: Stiff,
Duane
We have a better idea. Do the honorable thing - resign now and save everyone, including the children, the trouble. But given Stiff's out-of-touch track record, his repeated failure to act in the interests of constituents and his willingness to join Benecke, Draper and Darnold in cover ups, it's surprising he woke up long enough to suggest the next best thing. Stiff is one of the four Fleming-era holdover trustees.
Fleming speaks "from the heart" by "standing tall" for "the children" and playing the denial game to the bitter end
May 26, 2007 Filed in: Fleming,
James
Fleming is the former superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School District.
Criminal defense attorney helps Fleming play the blame game
May 26, 2007 Filed in: Brower,
Robert
Robert Brower, The Orange County
Register “In my client’s mind,
the D.A. is a political animal: He’s hearing a lot
of complaints down there … and there is political
capital to be made.”
No Fleming defense would be complete without a healthy dose of the classic Fleming blame game. Brower is former superintendent James Fleming's criminal defense attorney. Last fall, the Fleming-era trustees approved the district's payment of Fleming's criminal attorney's fees at nearly $400 per hour. Last March, the ABC reform trustees successfully brought a motion to reverse that decision.
No Fleming defense would be complete without a healthy dose of the classic Fleming blame game. Brower is former superintendent James Fleming's criminal defense attorney. Last fall, the Fleming-era trustees approved the district's payment of Fleming's criminal attorney's fees at nearly $400 per hour. Last March, the ABC reform trustees successfully brought a motion to reverse that decision.
Fleming dodges real issues in pathetic attempt to take the moral high ground
May 26, 2007 Filed in: Fleming,
James
Fleming lists achievements during his tenure, such as building campuses and winning National Blue Ribbons for high-achieving schools, and says a district-commissioned [Judge Waldrip] investigation found no laws had been broken. That report criticized Fleming for actions that were “ill-advised and imprudent.” Hey, earth to Jimbo! Those decisions may have ticked people off, but those aren't the decisions you're being prosecuted for. Just think for a minute. Could it be the years of lies, deceit, retaliation, defamation and other abuses that have finally caught up with you? It was not your "responsibility" to cross every ethical and legal line possible. And as for the district-commissioned Waldrip report, it was only a matter of time before this made-to-order whitewash would be raised as a defense. Fortunately, the District Attorney looked into the same matters, and guess what? He saw at things a little differently.
DA charges Fleming with three felonies that carry penalties of up to four years in prison
May 26, 2007 Filed in: Miller,
Sam
Miller is the South County education reporter for The Orange County Register.
DA charges McGill with two felonies that carry penalties of neary five years in prison
May 26, 2007 Filed in: Miller,
Sam
Miller is the South County education reporter for The Orange County Register.
Fleming indictment is vindication for reformers, who are committed to finishing the job
May 25, 2007 Filed in: Parsons,
Dana
Dana Parsons, The Los Angeles
Times "You bet they feel
vindicated. What they aren't feeling is charitable.
You could say, in fact, they're just getting warmed
up. The foes of former Capistrano Unified School
District Supt. James Fleming — yes, the man had
enemies — had reason to celebrate Thursday, if
that's the right word. They had been loudly
proclaiming in recent years that Fleming was running
a corrupt administration, and now they've got county
grand jury indictments against Fleming and his
assistant superintendent to back them up."
Parsons is a columnist for The Los Angeles Times.
Parsons is a columnist for The Los Angeles Times.
Fleming wrongdoings happened under Fleming-era trustees' watch
May 25, 2007 Filed in: Beall,
Tony
Beall is the mayor of Rancho Santa Margarita and a recall leader.
RSM mayor recalls surreal experience as Fleming-era trustees praised Fleming on the very day the DA raided his offices
May 25, 2007 Filed in: Beall,
Tony
Beall was the last public speaker to address the Board of Trustees and Fleming at Fleming's final board meeting last summer. Just hours before, district attorney's investigators raided Fleming's office and took computers and files. Beall urged the board not to let Fleming leave with a sweet retirement package. Beall asked the board to terminate Fleming and, in the short term, put him on administrative leave. Beall is the mayor of Rancho Santa Margarita and a recall leader.
McCully intentionally buried his head when it came to the CUSD Enemies List
May 15, 2007 Filed in: McCully,
Charles
When former Interim Superintendent McCully came to CUSD, the existence of the CUSD enemies lists was well known. Accusations that elected officials and high ranking CUSD staff members created the illegal lists were everywhere. So what actions did the superintendent take to ensure that this type of abuse was no longer happening? What actions did the superintendent take to ensure that this type of abuse would never occur again in the future? Once again, McCully admitted under oath that he basically chose to put his head in the sand and completely ignore this obvious abuse by the CUSD leadership!
CUSD had no chance for accountability with McCully at the helm
May 15, 2007 Filed in: McCully,
Charles
Smith addresses overspending and dangerously low reserves, confirming recall advocates claim that CUSD is a district in crisis
May 09, 2007 Filed in: Smith,
Dennis
Reform advocates have exposed CUSD's financial mismanagement and corruption for years, often referring to CUSD as "a school district in crisis." Smith is the interim Superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School District.
District confirms years of deficit spending, confirms reform advocates claims of Fleming Trustees' fiscal irresponsibility
May 09, 2007 Filed in: Miller,
Sam
Sam Miller, The Orange County
Register "The district has spent
more than it has taken in for five of the past six
years, resulting in a $4.1 million deficit in this
school year and a $6 million shortfall in 2005-06.
Its reserves are a little higher than the legally
mandated 2 percent."
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 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.
CUSD spokeswoman prepares district for staff cuts
May 09, 2007 Filed in: De Nicola,
Beverly
Beverly De Nicola, The Orange County
Register "The next step will be
to fine-tune it and figure out how much this will
affect people. Because when you cut $13 million, you
cut people."
De Nicola is the spokeswoman for the Capistrano Unified School District.
De Nicola is the spokeswoman for the Capistrano Unified School District.
Smith's plans for cuts and increased revenues
May 09, 2007 Filed in: Miller,
Sam
Sam Miller, The Orange County
Register "Eliminating some bus
routes with few riders and consolidating some bus
stops, for a savings of about $1 million; Raising
facilities use fees and selling obsolete school
buses, part of a plan to raise about $400,000;
Cutting staff positions to save about $4.2 million,
including $2.1 million in teacher salaries."
Officials don't know whether the cuts will come from laying off people or not filling positions of employees who leave. Teachers under contract can't be laid off, as pink slips would have had to have gone out before March 15. Miller is the South Orange County education reporter for The Orange County Register.
Officials don't know whether the cuts will come from laying off people or not filling positions of employees who leave. Teachers under contract can't be laid off, as pink slips would have had to have gone out before March 15. Miller is the South Orange County education reporter for The Orange County Register.
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 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.
Recall advocates said decision to lease showed that building the admin building was wrong, other options should be considered
May 09, 2007 Filed in: Russell,
Tom
District critics called the construction of the three-building complex unnecessary and extravagant. Reform advocates pointed out the false dilemma presented by the district - the old administrative facilities vs. the extravagant new Taj Mahal, without any consideration of alternatives like those modeled by other, more prudent school districts. The excesses of the new administration building are now clear - it is both extravagant and physically excessive. The district should call for a thorough, independent feasibility study to consider alternatives that are more prudent and fair to everyone, such as a sale/leaseback arrangement or a sale and relocation of operations to unused or under-utilized facilities in the district (a sensible option chosen by other award-winning, but more prudent Orange County school districts). Russell is the spokesman for the CUSD Recall Committee.
Admin building was a catalyst for the recall campaign
May 09, 2007 Filed in: Mehta,
Seema
Seema Mehta, The Los Angeles
Times "Construction of the
center was controversial in 2005, when community
members and parents grew increasingly critical of
the board's decision to build it while hundreds of
classes were being held in aging trailers. The
center was a catalyst for a recall attempt against
the district's seven trustees. The recall failed to
make the ballot, but three recall advocates were
elected in November."
Mehta is a reporter for The Los Angeles Times.
Mehta is a reporter for The Los Angeles Times.
Admin building controversy is just one of many to plague CUSD in recent years
May 09, 2007 Filed in: Mehta,
Seema
Seema Mehta, The Los Angeles
Times "The
administrative center is just one of the controversies
to dog the district in recent years. Although many of
the district's 56 schools are ranked among the state's
best, other brouhahas have included an Orange County
Grand Jury probe; a raid of district headquarters by
the district attorney; the resignation of its longtime
superintendent after accusations he kept an "enemies
list"; and disputes over attendance boundaries, a high
school's location and portable classrooms."
Mehta is a reporter for The Los Angeles Times.
Mehta is a reporter for The Los Angeles Times.
Trustees' attempt to sell surplus land to cover budget deficits comes up short
May 09, 2007 Filed in: Miller,
Sam
Sam Miller, The Orange County
Register "Trustees also agreed to
try again to sell land in Laguna Niguel, a month
after bids for the 2.4 acres on Paseo de Colinas
came in smaller than expected. The largest bid was
$4.8 million, below the $6 million minimum required.
The school district reappraised the land and has set
the minimum bid at $4.8 million."
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.
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.
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.
Draper says nepotism and cronyism is OK because it's not "technically" illegal, "It just smells."
May 07, 2007 Filed in: Draper,
Marlene
Draper made this statement in response to a resident who criticized her for historically engaging in nepotism and cronyism by discussing and voting on district contracts with Culbertson, Adams and Associates, an environmental firm where Draper's daughter, Shawna Schaffner, serves as CEO. The Waldrip report had admonished the trustees to avoid the appearance of such improprieties, and cited the Culbertson and Adams agreement as an example. Judge Waldrip advised any trustee with such family relationships to abstain from such discussions or votes in the future, and speculated that the public would see the end of such improprieties as more reasonable judgement prevailed at CUSD in the future. Draper and the other Fleming trustees never apologized or took personal responsibility for any of the numerous wrongdoings confirmed by Waldrip. Instead, Draper disregarded Waldrip's admonitions and advice, discussed and voted for her daughter's contract at the first opportunity, and twisted Waldrip's words to justify her continued unethical conduct. Rather than raise the ethical bar at CUSD, as Waldrip recommended, Draper disregarded ethics and defended the bare legal minimum as good enough for CUSD ... even if it "smells." The crowd and the press were shocked. The new superintendent, Dennis Smith, put his face into his hands and shook his head in disbelief. The only person in the room who didn't seem to get it, was Draper.
McCully confirmed not all district schools meet CUSD standards, contrary to claims of Fleming and Trustees during recall
May 06, 2007 Filed in: Miller,
Sam
Sam Miller, The Orange County
Register "The images that recall
volunteers most depended on were photos of old
portables that they said showed failures in
facilities planning. City officials in Mission Viejo
and PTA parents at Newhart Middle have continued to
call for more facilities work, and Charles McCully,
who recently served as interim superintendent, said
not all schools meet CUSD standards."
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.
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.
Newcomer Smith characterizes some critics of district facilities as people who "scream and yell and throw a tantrum"
May 06, 2007 Filed in: Smith,
Dennis
Smith is the Superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School District.
Smith has five-year plan for deteriorating schools
May 06, 2007 Filed in: Smith,
Dennis
Smith is the Superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School District.
Smith's four guiding principles for the budget, addresses automatic allocation for teachers' raises
May 06, 2007 Filed in: Smith,
Dennis
What about budget cuts, Denny? Smith is the Superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School District.
Smith expresses hopes for his legacy with CUSD
May 06, 2007 Filed in: Smith,
Dennis
Smith is the Superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School District.
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 draws surprising conclusions about reform issues and advocates without even speaking to reform leaders
May 06, 2007 Filed in: Smith,
Dennis
Smith may have misstepped early in the game by implying moral equivalency between district and reform advocates. If this is so, despite the opinions of some that he is "scary brilliant," he obviously has much to learn if he really wants to make positive changes at CUSD. Smith is the Superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School District.
Smith seeks reason for constituents' angst, but will he really listen?
May 06, 2007 Filed in: Smith,
Dennis
Smith asks the right question. Hopefully he won't ignore the real answer - the culture of corruption that must be changed before any of the serious issues facing CUSD can be permanently solved. Smith is the Superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School District.
Tired of Mission Viejo taxes paying for CUSD facilities in other cities while the children in Mission Viejo schools are denied
May 06, 2007 Filed in: O'Brien,
Sharon
Sharon O’Brien, The Orange County
Register “It is inspiring to read
about all the hard work and fundraising parents at
Capistrano Valley High School are doing to provide a
performing arts center for that community, but it is
also aggravating to know that these facilities were
provided to other high schools in the Capistrano
Unified School District with Mission Viejo tax
dollars.” O’Brien is a CUSD parent and resident of
Mission Viejo.”
O’Brien is a CUSD parent and resident of Mission Viejo.
O’Brien is a CUSD parent and resident of Mission Viejo.
CUSD has made Mission Viejo a donor city for school projects elsewhere, unfair to the children and taxpayers of Mission Viejo
May 06, 2007 Filed in: O'Brien,
Sharon
Sharon O’Brien, The Orange County
Register “Mission Viejo has been
a donor city to this school district for years and
the result has been new and improved facilities
elsewhere and a Taj Mahal of a district office.
Meanwhile, high school parents have to raise funds
to get the theater that every other CUSD high school
already has, and elementary and middle school
families have to send their children to some of the
oldest and most neglected schools in the district.”
O’Brien is a CUSD parent and resident of Mission Viejo.
O’Brien is a CUSD parent and resident of Mission Viejo.
CUSD neglect of Mission Viejo schools reflects badly on city, CUSD should repay its “debt” to Mission Viejo
May 06, 2007 Filed in: O'Brien,
Sharon
Sharon O’Brien, The Orange County
Register “Sharon O’Brien, The
Orange County Register “Every citizen of Mission
Viejo is affected by the conditions of our schools
because it is a reflection of our city and will have
a long-term impact on the status of this community.
Every citizen should be asking when Capistrano
Unified will repay its debt to the city of Mission
Viejo.”
O’Brien is a CUSD parent and resident of Mission Viejo.
O’Brien is a CUSD parent and resident of Mission Viejo.
Trustees to consider millions in budget cuts, leasing out district office space to raise $400,000 per year
May 05, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Volzke is the publisher of the Capistrano Dispatch.
Danna Hills locked down for two hours due to explosions
May 04, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Volzke is the publisher of the Capistrano Dispatch.
Union leader hopes CUSD's commitment will improve teacher/ district relations
May 03, 2007 Filed in: Soderberg,
Vicki
Vicki Soderberg "The district has made a
commitment to the teachers to prioritize them in the
budget. Hopefully, we're seeing a new day in
Capistrano Unified. Hopefully there won't be any
more picketing or mass demonstrations at the
district office."
Soderberg is president of the Capistrano Unified Education Association, a teachers union.
Soderberg is president of the Capistrano Unified Education Association, a teachers union.
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.
Teacher salaries dispute settlement terms disclosed
May 03, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Volzke is the publisher of The Capistrano Dispatch.
RSM city council made tax audit of CUSD top priority after discovering proof CUSD misinformed the community
May 01, 2007 Filed in: Beall,
Tony
Beall is the Mayor of the City of Rancho Santa Margarita.
RSM tax audit of CUSD delayed due to lack of cooperation, responsiveness by district; Mission Viejo has had similar delays
May 01, 2007 Filed in: Beall,
Tony
Beall is the Mayor of the City of Rancho Santa Margarita.
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.
McCully says he didn't accomplish everything he wanted to do as interim superintendent
Apr 28, 2007 Filed in: McCully,
Charles
McCully is the former Interim Superintendent for the Capistrano Unified School District.
McCully admits CUSD still falls short on transparency
Apr 28, 2007 Filed in: McCully,
Charles
McCully is the former Interim Superintendent for the Capistrano Unified School District.
New British study points to power lines as cause of leukemia in children, confirms California study done several years ago
Apr 27, 2007 Filed in: Endsley,
Dan
Endsley is San Juan Capistrano resident and business owner and a columnist for The Capistrano Dispatch.
Dump site not lined in plastic on side nearest to San Juan Hills High School
Apr 27, 2007 Filed in: Endsley,
Dan
Endsley is San Juan Capistrano resident and business owner and a columnist for The Capistrano Dispatch.
Columnist misinterprets reasons behind recent lull in activity by district critics
Apr 27, 2007 Filed in: Stroud,
Keith
Stroud is a former high school principal and an author and a columnist for The Capistrano Dispatch.
Capo Valley only high school without a theater; it's hard on students who want to know why they've been neglected
Apr 24, 2007 Filed in: Holke,
Emily
Glowish is a reporter for The Orange County Register.
Contrary to OC trend, CUSD enrollment is up due to new housing developments
Apr 23, 2007 Filed in: Leal,
Fermin
Fermin Leal, The Orange County
Register "... the declining
enrollment trend does not extend to every district.
Eight districts have seen an increase of a total of
6,083 students in the same time period as the 19
others decreased. Districts including Tustin
Unified, Capistrano Unified and Irvine Unified
recorded significant growth mostly because of more
new housing developments."
In just three years, the enrollment in 19 Orange County school districts has dropped by a combined 17,725 students. That’s enough to fill about 10 high schools, or 30 elementary schools. Districts typically cringe at enrollment declines because it means less funding from the state. They forgo about $4,000 to $6,000 a year for every student, meaning districts have to slash budgets and cut jobs. Leal is a reporter for The Orange County Register.
In just three years, the enrollment in 19 Orange County school districts has dropped by a combined 17,725 students. That’s enough to fill about 10 high schools, or 30 elementary schools. Districts typically cringe at enrollment declines because it means less funding from the state. They forgo about $4,000 to $6,000 a year for every student, meaning districts have to slash budgets and cut jobs. Leal is a reporter for The Orange County Register.
Arroyo Vista PTA should tell CUSD to fix P.E. facilities deficiencies on school site, leave community park alone
Apr 20, 2007 Filed in: Russell,
Tom
School use of Arroyo Vista Park became an issue in 2002, when CUSD announced that it intended to cram facilities for 1,500 students on the adjacent, 8-acre Arroyo Vista School site. Despite widespread community opposition and promises by CUSD to honor an agreement with the City of Rancho Santa Margarita to cap the student population at 1,050, CUSD stubbornly proceeded to build facilities for 1,500 students, anyway. This created an overbuilt, under-utilized facility that has covered most of the children's playgrounds and sports fields. See Going Going Gone Feature.
Citizens for a Safe Rancho Santa Margarita (CSRSM), a local citizen action group, warned the community and CUSD about this very problem, but CSRSM’s arguments were rejected by CUSD and the current leaders of the Arroyo Vista PTA. CUSD stated in its EIR that adequate P.E. programs would be provided at Arroyo Vista without any need for the park, and children of parents who weren’t satisfied with P.E. or other educational programs at Arroyo Vista were given dual enrollment with the option of transferring to Las Flores Middle School. But rather than taking advantage of the dual enrollment option provided by the district, or working with CUSD to remove under-utilized facilities to make room for the children, these same PTA leaders are trying to solve the problem they helped to create by dishonestly campaigning to grab the adjacent, privately-owned community park, which will adversely affect residents who use the park to walk, walk their dogs and exercise daily.
CUSD's misplaced priorities have created this facilities planning disaster, dividing the local community in bitter, protracted controversy, wasting millions in taxpayer funds on under-utilized facilities and creating serious inequities for neglected and overcrowded campuses like Newhart Middle School in Mission Viejo. This waste and inequity could be mitigated if CUSD would relocate the under-utilized facilities to Newhart, which desperately needs them. Ironically, Mission Viejo taxpayers bore the cost of the Measure A bond funds used to expand Arroyo Vista, but Arroyo Vista parents were not subject to Measure A taxes. They just received the benefit without the burden, effectively giving Arroyo Vista more than they needed while denying even the basics to substandard schools in Mission Viejo. Russell is a member of CSRSM and the spokesperson for the CUSD Recall Committee.
CUSD doesn't support Arroyo Vista PTA, will remain neutral and honor agreement with master HOA
Apr 20, 2007 Filed in: De Nicola,
Beverly
Beverly De Nicola, Rancho Santa Margarita
News “The school district has
an agreement with SAMLARC that middle school
students won’t be using the park during school
hours. We’re a neutral party. We won’t be taking a
position one way or another.”
De Nicola is chief communications officer for CUSD.
De Nicola is chief communications officer for CUSD.
Master HOA doesn't support Arroyo Vista PTA, won't support an issue that would split community
Apr 20, 2007 Filed in: McGreggor,
Derek
Derek McGregor, Rancho Santa Margarita
News “If it’s an issue that
splits the community…how can we support that?”
McGregor also said that SAMLARC will continue to honor the general park use policy now in place. McGregor is president of SAMLARC, the community's master HOA.
McGregor also said that SAMLARC will continue to honor the general park use policy now in place. McGregor is president of SAMLARC, the community's master HOA.
Arroyo Vista PTA caught misrepresenting national, state and district PTA support, now spinning to cover up lies
Apr 20, 2007 Filed in: Arroyo Vista
PTA
Alejandra Molina, Rancho Santa Margarita
News "The park use issue
recently resurfaced after the Arroyo Vista PTA sent
letters in February to SAMLARC and CUSD asking them
both to reassess the park use policy at the school.
Language in the letters suggested that the national,
state and district PTAs supported the group in its
efforts. The move angered some CSRSM members, who
later verified that the national, state and district
PTAs are not taking sides on the issue. The Arroyo
Vista PTA has said it did not intend to make it
sound like the groups were on its side, and
acknowledged that language in the letter should be
reworded."
The PTA letter was assertive and unequivocal in its misrepresentation about national, state and district PTA support ... so much so, that all three oraganizations saw right through the ploy and the state PTA minced no words, ordering the Arroyo Vista PTA to "cease and desist." The simple fact is, the Arroyo Vista PTA got caught doing something dishonest (again) and, as usual, they are compounding the offense by spinning to cover it up. Molina is a reporter for The Orange County Register.
The PTA letter was assertive and unequivocal in its misrepresentation about national, state and district PTA support ... so much so, that all three oraganizations saw right through the ploy and the state PTA minced no words, ordering the Arroyo Vista PTA to "cease and desist." The simple fact is, the Arroyo Vista PTA got caught doing something dishonest (again) and, as usual, they are compounding the offense by spinning to cover it up. Molina is a reporter for The Orange County Register.
Surplus property sale delayed due to low bids, could strain budget
Apr 10, 2007 Filed in: Miller,
Sam
Sam Miller, The Orange County
Register "The
real estate sale Capistrano Unified needs in order to
balance its 2007-08 budget will be delayed at least a
couple months, after bids for the district's surplus
property came in lower than expected. The district is
counting on the sale – which has been planned since
2004 – in both its budget planning and its teacher
negotiations."
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.
Land sale delay could affect teacher salaries and retirement fund
Apr 10, 2007 Filed in: Miller,
Sam
Sam Miller, The Orange County
Register "Part
of the district's offer to teachers includes a 0.75
percent pay raise once the land sale goes through;
waiting on the sale would mean a delay for when
teachers would see that raise, if agreed to. And CUSD's
2007-08 budget projections, to which trustees are still
looking to make cuts, depends on the land sale to erase
a $2 million-per-year annual debt the district owes to
a public retirement fund."
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.
No part of budget should be exempt from cuts
Mar 29, 2007 Filed in: Bryson,
Anna
Bryson is one of the ABC Reform Trustees.
District says deficit spending and flattening enrollment caused budget crisis
Mar 29, 2007 Filed in: Hall,
Eric
Eric Hall, Laguna Niguel News
“Capistrano
is facing significant budget challenges because of
two converging forces: three of four years of
deficit spending, and flattening enrollment ... It
has caused us to pause and take a look at making
budget reductions.”
Hall is CUSD's interim deputy superintendent of business and support services.
Hall is CUSD's interim deputy superintendent of business and support services.
Trustees should have anticipated teacher salary increases
Mar 29, 2007 Filed in: Walen,
Ronda
Walen is president of the 2,000-member union for classified workers.
Even with cuts, not enough to pay teacher salary increases
Mar 29, 2007 Filed in: Miller,
Sam
Sam Miller, Laguna Niguel News
“Even
with the expected cuts, CUSD would have little left
over to pay salary increases – about $3.7 million,
or about 1.5 percent more for all employees. Raises
typically are nearer to the state-allocated Cost of
Living Adjustment, which CUSD expects to be more
than 4 percent.”
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.
Wrong for teachers to take out money issues on students
Mar 29, 2007 Filed in: Eisner,
Alex
Alex Eisner is a senior at Dana Hills High School and has been a resident of Laguna Niguel for 14 years. He currently serves as a member of the Laguna Niguel Youth Committee and treasurer of his school’s Student Union.
Auditor says CUSD's non-responsiveness worst ever seen
Mar 24, 2007 Filed in: Kelly,
Trish
Kelly, asked Joe Aguilar, a CPA with the firm of Vavrinek Trine Day & Co., LLP (VTD), about CUSD’s delays and unresponsiveness to VTD’s records requests. VTD, the auditing firm retained by the City of Mission Viejo to audit CUSD’s use of Measure A, Mello-Roos and Tax Sharing Agreement funds from the City of Mission Viejo, audits nearly 300 agencies annually. Kelly is a Mission Viejo City Councilmember.
New superintendent experienced and looks forward to challenges at CUSD
Mar 23, 2007 Filed in: Smith,
Dennis
The Capistrano Dispatch
“As
Superintendent I have had the opportunity to face
challenges similar to those that are being addressed
by the Capistrano Unified School District. CUSD is
known for its excellent instructional programs,
great people, and active community participation.
I’m looking forward to getting out to the schools;
working with the dedicated teachers, principals, and
parents; and inviting all stakeholders to join us in
providing our children with a world-class
education.”
Capistrano Unified Trustees this month unanimously approved Dennis Smith as the district's new superintendent. Smith, who formally starts in July, will get $255,000 a year in salary, $900 a month in transportation allowance, his retirement contributions paid, up to 24 vacation days year and, if he stays at least five years, his health benefits paid until he's 65. The district will also contribute $33,000 a year to a tax-sheltered annuity for Smith.
Capistrano Unified Trustees this month unanimously approved Dennis Smith as the district's new superintendent. Smith, who formally starts in July, will get $255,000 a year in salary, $900 a month in transportation allowance, his retirement contributions paid, up to 24 vacation days year and, if he stays at least five years, his health benefits paid until he's 65. The district will also contribute $33,000 a year to a tax-sheltered annuity for Smith.
CUSD has hindered auditor's ability to follow paper trail
Mar 19, 2007 Filed in: Bornstein,
Irwin
Bornstein is Assistant City Manager and Director of Administrative Services for the City of Mission Viejo.
CUSD uses delays and Public Records Act to obstruct audit
Mar 19, 2007 Filed in: Bornstein,
Irwin
Bornstein is Assistant City Manager and Director of Administrative Services for the City of Mission Viejo.
CUSD student speaks out about traffic safety issue at Tesoro High School
Mar 16, 2007 Filed in: Goldenberg,
Drew
Drew Goldenberg, The Ladera
Post "There is a big issue
that needs to be dealt with at [Tesoro High School]
and that is the tiny single entrance to the school.
I am not the only person at the school that feels
this way – there are many. Every morning is a stress
and struggle for me, my mom, and many others that
attend Tesoro. I live in Las Flores, which is within
a minute from the school, and on a school day if I
leave my house any later than 25 minutes before
school starts, I am normally late. This is caused by
the absurd, small, single entrance that has to allow
almost 4,000 kinds through it everyday. Not to
mention that this little entrance is a building car
accident maker as there have been many car accidents
on it since the opening of the school in 2001."
Goldenberg is a freshman student at Tesoro High School.
Goldenberg is a freshman student at Tesoro High School.
New superintendent gets lucrative compensation package
Mar 13, 2007 Filed in: Miller,
Sam
Miller is the education reporter for the Orange County Register.
Waldrip finds lists and employment arrangements inappropriate
Mar 07, 2007 Filed in: Miller,
Sam
Miller is the South Orange County education reporter for the Orange County Register.
Enemies list victim says Fleming's actions not in good faith
Mar 07, 2007 Filed in: Lefner,
Kim
Kim Kefner, The Orange County
Register "I don't
think anyone here can seriously argue that Fleming's
actions were in good faith."
Lefner learned from the Waldrip report that Superintendent James Fleming kept her name and her children's names after her involment in the CUSD Recall campaign.
Lefner learned from the Waldrip report that Superintendent James Fleming kept her name and her children's names after her involment in the CUSD Recall campaign.
"It is a misuse of taxpayers' money to defend the indefensible."
Mar 07, 2007 Filed in: Bryson,
Anna
After reviewing the alarming revelations contained in Judge Stuart Waldrip's "Independent" Investigator's Report, reform trustee Bryson made this comment in support of a resolution to stop further funding of former Superintendent James Fleming's criminal defense attorney's fees. Trustees Benecke, Draper, Darnold and Stiff reversed their earlier decision and joined Bryson and the other reform trustees, Ellen Addonizio and Larry Christensen, in cutting off further taxpayer funding of Fleming's criminal defense attorney's fees.
Even after alarming evidence of Fleming's wrongdoings, Benecke would use tax dollars to pay his criminal attorney's fees
Mar 07, 2007 Filed in: Benecke,
Sheila
Trustee Benecke and other Fleming trustees said a defense lawyer is no longer necessary because the grand jury investigation seems to have quieted down. However, they also said they would support providing a defense lawyer for Fleming's if investigation activities resume. Benecke and her colleagues previously said that Fleming's criminal defense attorney's fees would be paid until there was evidence of Fleming's wrongdoing. Now that the Waldrip report has provided alarming evidence of such wrongdoing, Benecke and her colleagues have decided ignore the report. This decision is just a flawed as their decision to pay Fleming's criminal defense fees last summer, when they ignored legal criteria and improperly authorized payment.
District has spent $5,000 on Fleming's defense, but now there's evidence of Fleming's wrondoings
Mar 05, 2007 Filed in: Miller,
Sam
Sam Miller, The Orange County
Register “The
district has spent about $5,000 on Fleming's
defense. Since the initial decision, three new
trustees – who ran on a reform platform – were
elected, and a district-commissioned investigation
found evidence of "imprudent" actions taken by
Fleming.”
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.
Waldrip report sustained recall allegations
Mar 05, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Jonathan Volzke, The Capistrano
Dispatch “... none
of the trustees have commented on the report, which
essentially sustained allegations made during a
failed recall attempt, but said nothing violated the
law.”
Volzke is the publisher of The Capistrano Dispatch.
Volzke is the publisher of The Capistrano Dispatch.
Auditor advises city to demand that CUSD cooperate or be reported to authorities
Mar 05, 2007 Filed in: Aguilar,
Joe
Joe Aguilar, Letter to City of Mission
Viejo re Status Report on CUSD Engagement
“The City
should formally request that the District provide
annual reports of CFD monies for the past four
years, as required by State law, within the next 30
days. If the District is unresponsive, the City
should inform the State Controller and State
Attorney General of the District’s failure to make
such reports available to the
public.”
Aguilar is with the firm of Vavrinek Trine Day & Co., LLP, the CPAs retained by the City of Mission Viejo to audit CUSD’s use of Measure, Mello-Roos and Tax Sharing Agreement funds from the City of Mission Viejo.
Aguilar is with the firm of Vavrinek Trine Day & Co., LLP, the CPAs retained by the City of Mission Viejo to audit CUSD’s use of Measure, Mello-Roos and Tax Sharing Agreement funds from the City of Mission Viejo.
Union leader says CUSD inflexible, teachers will be angry
Mar 01, 2007 Filed in: Soderberg,
Vicki
Vicki Soderberg, The Orange County
Register “This
district is not willing to make any kind of movement
... Let me tell you, my people are going to be
angry.”
Soderberg is president of the Capistrano Unified Education Association.
Soderberg is president of the Capistrano Unified Education Association.
Teacher frustrated with CUSD, wants to get back to teaching
Feb 26, 2007 Filed in: Willett,
Sue
Sue Willett, The Orange County
Register "We asked
the district to budget the increase last year, but
we haven't seen any progress ... We started talks
months ago. I just want to get back to doing what I
love: teaching."
Willett is a teacher at Tesoro high School.
Willett is a teacher at Tesoro high School.
Lackey filed lawsuit after obtaining evidence of improper closed session
Feb 23, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Volzke is the publisher of the Capistrano Dispatch.
Trustees stretch to make excuses for Brown Act violations
Feb 23, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Volzke is the publisher of the Capistrano Dispatch.
Trustees admit no wrongdoing, but settle and pay Lackey's attorney fees
Feb 23, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Volzke is the publisher of the Capistrano Dispatch.
Recall was unsuccessfull but touched off series of events
Feb 23, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Volzke is the publisher of the Capistrano Dispatch.
Waldrip report cost $30,000, finds trustee and Fleming actions "imprudent" and "ill-advised"
Feb 23, 2007 Filed in: Waldrip,
Stuart
Volzke is the publisher of the Capistrano Dispatch.
McCully blames $9 million shortfall on bad decisions
Feb 23, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
McCully says district could save with in-house lawyer
Feb 23, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Trustees cut 22 positions, but more cuts needed
Feb 23, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Volzke is the publisher of the Capistrano Dispatch.
Trustees hire criminal defense lawyers for Fleming and themselves
Feb 23, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Volzke is the publisher of the Capistrano Dispatch.
Trustees agreed to pay Fleming's attorney if no evidence of wrongdoing
Feb 23, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Volzke is the publisher of the Capistrano Dispatch.
Parents tell Trustees about Fleming misconduct identified by Waldrip
Feb 23, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Volzke is the publisher of the Capistrano Dispatch.
CUSD eliminates top guidance counselor as budget-cutting measure
Feb 18, 2007 Filed in: Morgan,
Debbie
A week after the district eliminated her job as top guidance counselor in CUSD as a budget-cutting measure, Morgan expressed her hopes for the district's guidance center.
PTA leader presumes to know what's best for Morgan and ignores impact on children
Feb 18, 2007 Filed in: Timm,
Jennifer
Spoken like a true PTA political operative -- excuse the district's financial faux pas and downplay the real, unfulfilled needs of the kids, which will be made all the worse with the termination of the district's top guidance counselor. Thanks, Jennifer. Bet you won't lose any sleep over this one. See you at the next PTA-sponsored parent fundraiser.
Parent expresses concern about impact elimination of guidance counselor will have on children
Feb 18, 2007 Filed in: Furniss,
Donna
Donna Furniss, The Orange County
Register "We're forgetting about
the middle-of-the-road child. My child is one of
them. The only place I got help was Debbie [Morgan].
He has a 2.7 GPA, but he's bringing it up. Why is he
bringing it up? He had someone who cared."
Furniss is a CUSD parent.
Furniss is a CUSD parent.
Parent calls traffic conditions at Tesoro High School dangerous, nightmare
Feb 16, 2007 Filed in: Johnson,
Jeanne
Jeanne Johnson, The Ladera
Post "For two miserable years
I have driven my granddaughter to Tesoro High in the
morning before I go to work in San Clemente. What a
nightmare it has been. I have raised my
granddaughter for 12 years on my own and this has
been one of the most trying things I’ve had to
contend with, along with raising a teenager. It
usually takes 35 minutes out of my morning to get
her to school. I also think it is very dangerous for
new teenagers driving to school, as cars are quickly
cutting in front of other cars with very short or no
notice, or turning from a lane they shouldn’t turn
from. I pray this construction schedule will happen
soon ... We built a high school with only one
entrance to the school and now over 3,000 kids
attend it. And of course the traffic planning was
overlooked. What happened?
Johnson is a resident of Rancho Santa Margarita.
Johnson is a resident of Rancho Santa Margarita.
Newhart is example why city has concern over proposed district-wide EIR
Feb 16, 2007 Filed in: Kelly,
Trish
The Mission Viejo City Council unanimously gave authorization to Councilwoman Trish Kelley, who made the request, to send a letter to Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees urging them to rescind the approval of a blanket Environmental Impact Report that would cover every school in the district. Kelley said the EIR would allow the school district to maximize the use of portable classrooms at all school sites.
Poor conditions at Newhart and related impacts in city agenda report
Feb 16, 2007 Filed in: Glowish,
Amanda
Amanda Glowish, Saddleback Valley
News “The majority of
classrooms on the Newhart campus are portables and
the increase in student population has had a
detrimental impact on the surrounding neighborhoods
where many students are dropped off and picked up,
according to [Trish] Kelley’s agenda report.”
Glowish is a reporter for The Orange County Register.
Glowish is a reporter for The Orange County Register.
Trustee Bryson affirms CUSD's obligation to comply with state's open meeting law
Feb 16, 2007 Filed in: Bryson,
Anna
Trustee Bryson reacts to the settlement of a Brown Act lawsuit brought by one of CUSD's critics. Facing overwhelming evidence of wrongdoing, but admitting none, the Capistrano Unified School District agreed to record its closed-session meetings for one year. A judge could review the tapes to ensure that the Brown Act is followed.
Reader critical of traffic planning at Tesoro High School
Feb 16, 2007 Filed in: Johnson,
Jeanne
Jeanne Johnson, Letter to the Editor, The
Ladera Post "We built a high school
with only one entrance to the school and now over
3,000 kids attend it. And of course the traffic
planning was overlooked. What happened?"
Trustees agreed to pay Fleming's attorney fees as long as no evidence of wrongdoing
Feb 13, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Volzke is the publisher of the Capistrano Dispatch.
Independent investigator found evidence of Fleming's wrongdoing
Feb 13, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Volzke is the publisher of the Capistrano Dispatch.
Waldrip confirms two lists linking childrens names to activists
Feb 10, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Vozke comments on the lack of any district response to the published report from the special investigator hired to look into allegations of wrongdoing by former Superintendent James Fleming. Volzke is the publisher of The Capistrano Dispatch.
Subcontractor says CUSD payment delays among worst in 30 years
Feb 08, 2007 Filed in: Patterson,
Russ
Russ Patterson, Laguna Niguel
News "...the
district’s delays ‘are among the worst’ in his 30
years of working with public
agencies.”
Patterson comments on the district's refusal to pay $1.6 million to various contractors in connection with the construction of the new administration building. Patterson is president of The Patterson Company, a subcontractor that did $310,000 in masonry work on the project, which has been completed and occupied by the district for several months.
Patterson comments on the district's refusal to pay $1.6 million to various contractors in connection with the construction of the new administration building. Patterson is president of The Patterson Company, a subcontractor that did $310,000 in masonry work on the project, which has been completed and occupied by the district for several months.
Reader has no sympathy for CUSD parents who chose nice homes instead of good school district
Feb 06, 2007 Filed in: Veravanich,
Carol
Veravanich is an experienced teacher and assistant principal who, as an Orange County Register columnist, answers readers' questions each week.
Reader says CUSD parents should improve CUSD instead of transferring to Saddleback Unified
Feb 06, 2007 Filed in: Veravanich,
Carol
Veravanich is an experienced teacher and assistant principal who, as an Orange County Register columnist, answers readers' questions each week.
CUSD is investigating transfers and rounding up violators
Jan 31, 2007 Filed in: Veravanich,
Carol
Veravanich is an experienced teacher and assistant principal who, as an Orange County Register columnist, answers readers' questions each week.
RSM city council letter urging CUSD to abandon blanket EIR
Jan 26, 2007 Filed in: Molina,
Alejandra
Alejandra Molina, Rancho Santa Margarita
News "The city will send a
letter to Capistrano Unified School District, urging
it to abandon the preparation of an environmental
report studying the effect of maximizing the number
of portable classrooms at schools. The City Council
on Wednesday voted 5-0 to authorize Mayor Tony
Beall, who made the recommendation, to send the
letter."
A report to the City Council, written by Beall, says the environmental report would threaten the 1,050-student cap at Arroyo Vista, a kindergarten through eighth-grade campus, and possibly lead to higher enrollment at crowded Tijeras Creek Elementary.
A report to the City Council, written by Beall, says the environmental report would threaten the 1,050-student cap at Arroyo Vista, a kindergarten through eighth-grade campus, and possibly lead to higher enrollment at crowded Tijeras Creek Elementary.
RSM mayor pro tem dissappointed with interim superintendent over blanket EIR
Jan 26, 2007 Filed in: Thompson,
Gary
RSM Mayor Pro Tem Gary Thompson opposes the district-wide environmental impact report. Discussions about the report stirred hard feelings from last year’s conflicts with then-Superintendent James Fleming and the school board. In December 2005, school trustees voted to contract for the report. Reform trustee Larry Christensen wants the board to discuss abandoning the study in its Feb. 12 meeting.
CUSD proposes blanket EIR to maximize portables throughout the district, City of RSM opposes EIR
Jan 26, 2007 Filed in: Molina,
Alejandra
Alejandra Molina, The Ladera
Post "The Rancho Santa
Margarita City Council backed Mayor Tony Beall in
sending a letter to Capistrano Unified School
District, urging it to abandon the preparation of an
environmental impact report. The EIR would study
maximizing the number of portable classrooms on each
of the district’s school sites. The discussion
recalled hard feelings left from last year’s
conflicts with then-Superintendent James Fleming and
the CUSD board."
The proposed blanket EIR is particularly offensive, since Marlene Draper and other CUSD leaders assured voters during the recall and ABC reform slate campaigns that CUSD had a "strategic plan" to remove portables. Now, just weeks after the November election, CUSD is scheming to circumvent the environmental process with a district-wide EIR for the purpose of "maximizing" the number of portables at every CUSD campus. Molina is a reporter for the Orange County Register.
The proposed blanket EIR is particularly offensive, since Marlene Draper and other CUSD leaders assured voters during the recall and ABC reform slate campaigns that CUSD had a "strategic plan" to remove portables. Now, just weeks after the November election, CUSD is scheming to circumvent the environmental process with a district-wide EIR for the purpose of "maximizing" the number of portables at every CUSD campus. Molina is a reporter for the Orange County Register.
RSM mayor makes audit of Mello-Roos spent by CUSD a top priority
Jan 26, 2007 Filed in: Beall,
Tony
After learning that the Capistrano Unified School District used Rancho Santa Margarita Mello-Roos funds, along with bonds from Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, San Juan Capistrano and Talega, to help pay for a new administration building, RSM Mayor Tony Beall put the completion of the audit on top of his to-do list.
RSM mayor pro tem requested audit of Mello-Roos taxes spent by CUSD
Jan 26, 2007 Filed in: Thompson,
Gary
RSM Mayor Pro Tem Gary Thompson requested the audit.
Columnist questions why SJC city council unanimously endorsed the CUSD board during recall
Jan 25, 2007 Filed in: Endsley,
Dan
Endsley is a San Juan Capistrano resident and business owner and a columnist for The Capistrano Dispatch.
RSM Mayor Tony Beall expresses hopes for CUSD in 2007
Jan 12, 2007 Filed in: Beall,
Tony
Waldrip report revealed two enemies lists
Jan 11, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Volzke is the publisher of the Capistrano Dispatch.
Waldrip report revealed nepotism and conflicts of interest
Jan 11, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Volzke is the publisher of the Capistrano Dispatch.
Waldrip leaves the biggest question unanswered: Were the wrongful actions abrrations or business as usual?
Jan 11, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Volzke is the publisher of the Capistrano Dispatch.
Waldrip conspicuously overlooks evidence of Fleming trustees' knowledge of, or involvement in wrongdoings
Jan 11, 2007 Filed in: Waldrip,
Stuart
Volzke is the publisher of the Capistrano Dispatch.
Fleming trustees have remained tight-lipped, in denial and pointing fingers at others - it's time to take responsibility
Jan 11, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Volzke is the publisher of the Capistrano Dispatch.
Fleming trustees owe the public more than to sit back and let time heal wounds
Jan 11, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Volzke is the publisher of the Capistrano Dispatch.
PTA leader calls Waldrip investigation a "taxpayer funded cover-up"
Jan 11, 2007 Filed in: Casserly,
Barbara
Barbara Casserly, The Capistrano
Dispatch "This “independent”
investigation was conducted by the law firm that
defends the district. The firm retained retired
Judge Waldrip who spent five months on a report that
contains important documents and but draws weak
conclusions. This was not an impartial investigation
because Judge Waldrip once worked for that firm.
CUSD must stop hiding behind lawyers and using
scarce funds for outrageous legal fees and taxpayer
funded cover-up investigations."
Casserly is a Mission Viejo resident and PTA leader.
Casserly is a Mission Viejo resident and PTA leader.
Trustees Draper, Benecke, Darnold and Stiff knew about enemies list and "mole"
Jan 11, 2007 Filed in: Casserly,
Barbara
Barbara Casserly, The Capistrano
Dispatch "CUSD Trustees knew that
Jim Fleming was actively involved in fighting the
recall and voted to fund an investigation into
matters which they knew to have occurred that cost
taxpayers over $35,000! ... included in the
[Waldrip] report is an April 21, 2005 memo written
by James Fleming addressed to Marlene Draper and the
entire CUSD Board entitled the “Report on presumed
recall effort” that referred to the parent list, and
included a report from a “mole” that infiltrated the
recall group. The Trustees continued to support Jim
Fleming until he retired in disgrace in August 2006,
and subsequently voted to pay Fleming’s criminal
legal defense fees. Trustees Draper, Benecke,
Darnold and Stiff refuse to acknowledge that they
knew Jim Fleming was illegally fighting the recall.
The self-serving “independent” investigation
concluded that the only crime that might have
occurred was the leaking of documents by
Smollar!"
Casserly is a Mission Viejo resident and PTA leader.
Casserly is a Mission Viejo resident and PTA leader.
Waldrip confirms students names were used even after recall campaign over
Jan 11, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Parents long ago knew of a reported “hit list” that combined information about recall proponents with information about their students’ school and teachers, and also knew that district employees improperly combined through petitions submitted to the Registrar of Voters after the recall failed. Now they also know that Capistrano Unified district officials matched the names of recall proponents with information about their students even after the recall had failed, and this has prompted a renewed sense of outrage among critics of the district’s leadership. Volzke is the publisher of The Capistrano Dispatch.
Waldrip finds second enemies list more troubling than first
Jan 11, 2007 Filed in: Waldrip,
Stuart
Retired Orange County Superior Court Judge Stuart Waldrip made these findings about the infamous CUSD “enemies” lists in his 13-page investigation report to the CUSD Board of Education.
Enemies list victim offended by evidence that Fleming involved children
Jan 11, 2007 Filed in: Lefner,
Kim
Kim Lefner, The Capistrano
Dispatch “In my opinion, the
existence of the second “enemies” list outlined in
Judge Waldrip’s report proves what district
officials have denied for so long; that Fleming did
indeed involve our children.”
Capistrano resident Kim Lefner’s name was on the second "enemies" list. So was her husband’s, their child’s, the school he attends, the grade he was in, their home address and their phone number.
Capistrano resident Kim Lefner’s name was on the second "enemies" list. So was her husband’s, their child’s, the school he attends, the grade he was in, their home address and their phone number.
Enemies list victim angered that Fleming targeted children and used district resources to do so
Jan 11, 2007 Filed in: Lefner,
Kim
Kim Lefner, The Capistrano
Dispatch “The idea that a
Superintendent, whose responsibility it is to
protect children, would instead target them, is
completely unacceptable. For him to have used
district time and resources to do so makes it even
worse.”
Capistrano resident Kim Lefner’s name was on the second list. So was her husband’s, their child’s, the school he attends, the grade he was in, their home address and their phone number.
Capistrano resident Kim Lefner’s name was on the second list. So was her husband’s, their child’s, the school he attends, the grade he was in, their home address and their phone number.
First hit list was generated from information in email by recall leader
Jan 11, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Volzke is the publisher of The Capistrano Dispatch.
Fleming's explanation for first list implausible; Waldrip finds information too extensive
Jan 11, 2007 Filed in: Waldrip,
Stuart
Retired Orange County Superior Court Judge Stuart Waldrip writes about the infamous CUSD “enemies” lists in his 13-page report to the CUSD Board of Education.
Former recall leader offended Fleming's enemies lists targeted kids
Jan 11, 2007 Filed in: Murphy,
Kevin
Former recall leader Kevin Murphy refers to the lists prepared by the district from an email he inadvertently sent to CUSD, containing the names and email addresses of recall leaders and volunteers.
Fleming used a "mole" to spy on recall leaders in private home
Jan 11, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Volzke is the publisher of The Capistrano Dispatch.
Waldrip report confirms nearly all recall allegations
Jan 11, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Volzke is the publisher of The Capistrano Dispatch.
Waldrip interviewed 32 people including Fleming, but only one trustee - Marlene Draper
Jan 11, 2007 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Volzke is the publisher of The Capistrano Dispatch.
Recall leader reacts to Waldrip report
Jan 09, 2007 Filed in: Russell,
Tom
Russell, a recall backer who helped bring many allegations to light, dismissed the Waldrip report as tainted, noting that Waldrip once worked for the same law firm as the district's longtime counsel.
Trustee Stiff wants to move on without demanding accountability
Jan 09, 2007 Filed in: Stiff,
Duane
Hopeful, but unrealistic words by Trustee Stiff, who shows no concern for truly getting "all this behind us" by holding Fleming and other staff accountable for the patent offenses they committed.
Trustee Benecke spins Waldrip report as a "tool to refocus," avoids any discussion of responsibility or accountability
Jan 09, 2007 Filed in: Benecke,
Sheila
Rather than using the report to identify wrongdoing and demand accountability, Benecke ignores the report's obvious limitations and deficiencies, and clears up the real purpose for the Waldrip report -- a "tool to refocus," or, in other words, a broad brush to cover up wrongdoing, avoid discussion of specific offenses or blame and move on without accountability.
Waldrip not impartial, but facts have vindicated Smollar and proven Fleming a liar
Jan 09, 2007 Filed in: Smollar,
David
David Smollar, The Orange County
Register "I don't believe Waldrip
has proven himself to be an impartial judge.
Everything I've said in any context has been proven
factual. Most, if not all the things, Fleming said
in denial have been proven false."
Whistleblower and former CUSD Communications Director Smollar's initial reaction to the Waldrip investigation report.
Whistleblower and former CUSD Communications Director Smollar's initial reaction to the Waldrip investigation report.
Recall leader doubts Waldrip's impartiality due to association with CUSD counsel
Jan 09, 2007 Filed in: Russell,
Tom
Comments to reporter Sam Miller by Tom Russell, spokesman for CUSD Recall Committee, prior to the release of the Waldrip investigation report.
Scope of Waldrip investigation limited, many other issues remain
Jan 09, 2007 Filed in: Mehta,
Seema
Seema Mehta, The Los Angeles
Times “Waldrip's investigation
was limited in scope and largely centered on the
"enemies list," the employment of district leaders'
relatives by district contractors and whether
employees destroyed or removed documents.”
Mehta is a reporter for The Los Angeles Times.
Mehta is a reporter for The Los Angeles Times.
Fleming ordered creation of both lists, both included children
Jan 09, 2007 Filed in: Mehta,
Seema
Seema Mehta, The Los Angeles
Times “According to the
[Waldrip] report, Fleming actually ordered the
creation of two lists: one with the names of people
who received e-mails from recall supporters and a
second with the names of those who gathered
signatures supporting the recall. Both included
personal information such as the schools attended by
the children of recall supporters.”
Mehta is a reporter for The Los Angeles Times.
Mehta is a reporter for The Los Angeles Times.
Former district spokesperson questions Waldrip's impartiality
Jan 05, 2007 Filed in: Smollar,
David
David Smollar, The Orange County
Register "Smollar said a
representative for Waldrip tried to set up an
interview, but he declined, saying he questioned the
impartiality of a district-hired investigator."
Based on years of first-hand experience spinning messages on behalf of CUSD at the direction of former Superintendent Fleming and the Trustees, Smollar had good cause to question Waldrip's impartiality.
Based on years of first-hand experience spinning messages on behalf of CUSD at the direction of former Superintendent Fleming and the Trustees, Smollar had good cause to question Waldrip's impartiality.
Draper supiciously confident about outcome of Waldrip investigation
Jan 05, 2007 Filed in: Draper,
Marlene
Gee, Marlene, any chance you heard about Waldrip's wishy-washy report before hand? Waldrip failed the "independence" test from the start, and though the report strained to make excuses for virtually everyone at CUSD, it's scope was actually limited to very few real issues. And how about those recommendations -- very little bark and absolutely no bite. The report clearly shows that no blame or accountability for you, your colleagues or staff were ever intended. No wonder you're comfortable.
Mission Viejo firm hired by CUSD to find new superintendent
Jan 05, 2007 Filed in: Glowish,
Amanda
Amanda Glowish, Saddleback Valley
News "Mission Viejo-based
Leadership Associates was hired by the Capistrano
Unified School District trustees to find a
superintendent for the 50,000-student school
district. The new superintendent will replace
Charles McCully before the end of the school year.
McCully has led the district since August, when
James Fleming retired as superintendent."
Glowish is a reporter for The Orange County Register.
Glowish is a reporter for The Orange County Register.
Waldrip hired at $400 per hour to investigate specific issues
Jan 05, 2007 Filed in: Miller,
Sam
Sam Miller, The Orange County
Register "Former Orange County
Judge Stuart Waldrip was hired last summer at $400
per hour to look into claims that the district had
kept a list of political opponents, violated the
Brown Act with closed-session meetings, and sent
district staff to the Registrar of Voters to examine
confidential recall petitions."
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.
Trustee Bryson cautions district's reserves dangerously low
Jan 04, 2007 Filed in: Bryson,
Anna
Bryson is one of the "ABC" reform slate candidates, who won a seat on the CUSD Board of Trustees in the November 2006 general election. Bryson said she is particularly worried about the district's reserves, which have been drawn down in recent years to pay for employee salary increases without cutting services.
Trustee Bryson considers FCMAT to help with CUSD's fiscal crisis
Jan 04, 2007 Filed in: Bryson,
Anna
FCMAT conducts management reviews for California school districts, charter schools and community colleges. Its experts can review and recommend policies in various areas of education administration, ranging from student transportation to special education. Miller is the South Orange County education reporter for The Orange County Register.
Smollar believes he did right thing as whistleblower
Jan 03, 2007 Filed in: Smollar,
David
David Smollar, The Orange County
Register “I have no second
thoughts about what I did ... The stress, the
disgust (of working for Fleming) have disappeared.”
Smollar speaks bluntly about his former role as CUSD spokesperson under former Superintendent James Fleming.
Smollar speaks bluntly about his former role as CUSD spokesperson under former Superintendent James Fleming.
Taxpayers should not pay Draper's criminal defense lawyer fees
Jan 02, 2007 Filed in: Thompson,
Gary
Thompson is Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Rancho Santa Margarita.
Reform trustee promises to put kids first, accountability and transparency
Jan 02, 2007 Filed in: Christensen,
Larry
Christensen is one of the "ABC" reform slate candidates, who won a seat on the CUSD Board of Trustees in the November 2006 general election.
Reform trustee acknowledges November 2006 reform mandate
Jan 02, 2007 Filed in: Addonizio,
Ellen
Addonizio is one of the "ABC" reform slate candidates, who won a seat on the CUSD Board of Trustees in the November 2006 general election.
Fleming trustees remain only because they weren't on the ballot
Jan 02, 2007 Filed in: Russell,
Tom
Russell is the spokesperson for the CUSD Recall Committee. He made this statement after being asked whether the four incumbent Trustees posed an obstacle to achieving reform in the scandal-ridden school district.
Voters understood need for reform; Fleming trustees in denial
Jan 02, 2007 Filed in: Russell,
Tom
Russell is the spokesperson for the CUSD Recall Committee. The ABC Reform Slate candidates ran with the financial backing, endorsement and volunteer support of the CUSD Recall Committee. The previous year, the CUSD Recall Committee gathered more than 177,000 signatures in an effort to recall all seven members of the CUSD Board of Trustees.
ABC slate ran on platform to reform CUSD corruption
Jan 02, 2007 Filed in: Winsten,
Mike
Mike Winsten, Trabuco Canyon
News “The ABC
Reform Slate candidates ran on a reform platform,
vowing to restore honesty, integrity and
accountability to CUSD – a school district whose
leaders are involved in a number of high-profile
scandals and who are currently the subject of a
criminal investigation being conducted by the Orange
County District Attorney and Grand Jury.”
Voters give ABC slate reform mandate in 3-way landslide victory
Jan 02, 2007 Filed in: Winsten,
Mike
Mike Winsten, Trabuco Canyon
News “The
three "ABC Reform Slate" candidates -- Ellen
Addonizio, Anna Bryson and Larry Christensen -- won
easy election victories over two incumbents and five
other challengers to become the newest trustees of
the Capistrano Unified School District ... All three
reform candidates won by impressive 17% to 18%
margins, clearly demonstrating the voters'
dissatisfaction with the current leadership.”
Criminal defense lawyers for Fleming and trustees will be paid from general fund
Jan 02, 2007 Filed in: Winsten,
Mike
Mike Winsten, Trabuco Canyon
News “The Trustees
unanimously approved the engagement of a $400/hour
criminal defense attorney to represent former
Superintendent James Fleming and a $395/hour
criminal defense attorney to represent themselves in
connection with the on-going criminal investigation.
These costs will come directly out of the district’s
General Fund.”
Draper voted to approve environmental reports prepared by daughter
Jan 02, 2007 Filed in: Winsten,
Mike
Mike Winsten, Trabuco Canyon
News “Draper’s daughter,
Shawna Schaffner, works for CUSD’s primary
environmental consulting firm, Culbertson, Adams
& Associates. Schaffner was personally
responsible for producing numerous environmental
reports and documents that were submitted and
approved by Draper and the rest of the Board of
Trustees.”
Enormous salary increases paid to two of CUSD's worst offenders
Jan 02, 2007 Filed in: Winsten,
Mike
Mike Winsten, Trabuco Canyon
News “CUSD provided three
enormous salary increases to two of CUSD’s most
controversial deputy Superintendents -- Dan Crawford
and David Doomey. ... Doomey (who many believe is
the person most responsible for creating the CUSD
portable classroom crisis) admitted CUSD had
provided “misinformation” to the public as to how
CUSD would fund the new $52,000,000 administration
office ... During the recall, Crawford was roundly
criticized for publishing a letter in the O.C.
Register that grossly understated the total number
of portable classrooms actually utilized by
CUSD.”
Trustees tried to conceal settlement involving millions in illegal, closed session
Jan 02, 2007 Filed in: Winsten,
Mike
Mike Winsten, Trabuco Canyon
News “The minutes from the
illegal July 30, 2005 CUSD closed session meeting
which were published in the O.C. Register reveal
that Draper attempted to conceal the terms of a
multi-million dollar settlement with the
construction contractor for the infamous $52,000,000
administration building. Despite the fact that CUSD
had a “Guaranteed Maximum Price” contract with
Valley Commercial Contractors to construct the
building, CUSD agreed to pay an additional $3.8
million in settlement costs without any public
explanation.”
Condescending and disrespectful, CUSD says “Trust us, we are telling the truth, this time.”
Dec 14, 2006 Filed in: Goodwin,
Dwaine
Dwaine Goodwin, The Capistrano
Dispatch “To the citizens of San
Juan Capistrano from the Trustees and Superintendent
of C.U.S.D. “Trust us, we are telling the truth,
this time.” This is almost like a Shakespearean
comedy, if it was not so very serious and involves
so very much money. How so few people can cause so
much angst among a community is frightening. We
elect these people with a knowing trust only to be
deceived and lied to until such time as the truth is
unavoidable. Then they tell us to “move on.” How
condescending and disrespectful can they become?
Really bad choices on our part.”
Goodwin is a San Juan Capistrano resident.
Goodwin is a San Juan Capistrano resident.
Reader disgusted with community dissention caused by, and lack of accountability at, CUSD
Dec 14, 2006 Filed in: Goodwin,
Dwaine
Dwaine Goodwin, The Capistrano
Dispatch "How so few people can
cause so much angst among a community is
frightening. We elect these people with a knowing
trust only to be deceived and lied to until such
time as the truth is unavoidable. Then they tell us
to 'move on.' How condescending and disrespectful
can they become?"
A CUSD resident expresses disgust over the district's refusal to assign blame or demand personal accountability for admitted lies to the public about the funding sources of the new administration building.
A CUSD resident expresses disgust over the district's refusal to assign blame or demand personal accountability for admitted lies to the public about the funding sources of the new administration building.
CUSD won’t regain public trust and nothing will really change without true accountability
Dec 10, 2006 Filed in: Goff,
Brad
Brad Goff, The Orange County
Register “... Capistrano Unified
School District officials have a long way to go if
they want to regain the public’s trust. There is a
deep culture of corruption throughout the
administrative staff and the existing board members
and until those people are held accountable for
their misdeeds and removed from office or removed
from their administrative positions, nothing is
likely to really change.”
Goff is the Chairman of Citizens for a Safe Rancho Santa Margarita, a local citizen action group.
Goff is the Chairman of Citizens for a Safe Rancho Santa Margarita, a local citizen action group.
Fleming trustees in denial, refuse to take responsibility for CUSD misdeeds, attack critics instead
Dec 10, 2006 Filed in: Goff,
Brad
Brad Goff, The Orange County
Register “To date, no one in the
administration and not a single CUSD board member
has taken personal responsibility for any of the
district’s past wrongdoings. To the contrary, the
last two board meetings (since the election) have
seen trustees go on tirades against the recall
folks, the teacher’s union president and the Orange
County Register writer who reported on many of the
misdeeds.”
Goff is the Chairman of Citizens for a Safe Rancho Santa Margarita, a local citizen action group.
Goff is the Chairman of Citizens for a Safe Rancho Santa Margarita, a local citizen action group.
It’s business as usual at CUSD, Fleming trustees appear to have learned nothing
Dec 10, 2006 Filed in: Goff,
Brad
Brad Goff, The Orange County
Register “We should see fairly
quickly over the next few months if the old-guard
has really learned its lesson or if it intends to
continue business as usual. The fact that not a
single board member has taken any responsibility
whatsoever for any of the mess that the district
currently finds itself in indicates to me that they
probably haven’t learned anything.”
Goff is the Chairman of Citizens for a Safe Rancho Santa Margarita, a local citizen action group.
Goff is the Chairman of Citizens for a Safe Rancho Santa Margarita, a local citizen action group.
No improvement at CUSD possible until those responsible are held accountable
Dec 10, 2006 Filed in: Goff,
Brad
Brad Goff, The Orange County
Register "The fact that not a
single board member has taken any responsibility
whatsoever for any of the mess that the district
currently finds itself in indicates to me that they
probably haven’t learned anything. In fact, they
appear to be in complete denial..."
Mr. Goff shares the belief of many of his fellow district residents that nothing is likely to change at CUSD until those responsible for the district's past wrongdoings are held accountable by their removal from elected offices or administrative positions at CUSD.
Mr. Goff shares the belief of many of his fellow district residents that nothing is likely to change at CUSD until those responsible for the district's past wrongdoings are held accountable by their removal from elected offices or administrative positions at CUSD.
Critics right, district admits lies about admin building funding but says "move on" with no accountability
Dec 03, 2006 Filed in: OC
Register
Recall campaign set stage for ABC Reform Slate victory in November 2006 general election
Dec 03, 2006 Filed in: OC
Register
Doomey admits public was misled, but takes no responsibility as public is told to "move on"
Nov 30, 2006 Filed in: Doomey,
David
Associate Superintendent Doomey was finally forced to admit that the district had lied about the funding sources for the new administration building, but he continued to stonewall parents who wanted explanations for this deceitful conduct, avoiding all blame or accountability and, in essence, expecting offended constituents, who had been deceived about the spending of tens of millions of tax dolars, to simply "trust" him and the district ... again.
Soderberg critical of Trustees' budget decisions that repeat same mistakes
Nov 24, 2006 Filed in: Soderberg,
Vicki
Vicki Soderberg, The Orange County
Register “If you budgeted in
salary increases for employees, you wouldn’t have to
cut anything ... You’re taking this new money and
putting it in other places, and you’re telling me
you have to cut? It seems like a continued pattern.”
Soderberg is president of the Capistrano Unified Education Association, a teachers union.
Soderberg is president of the Capistrano Unified Education Association, a teachers union.
Trustees avoided cuts and paid raises during recall by depleting reserves
Nov 24, 2006 Filed in: Miller,
Sam
Sam Miller, Saddleback Valley
News “It is a turnaround from
last year, when the district gave teachers a raise,
reinstated spending such as the popular class-size
reduction program and avoided cuts that officials
had warned were pending. The district avoided those
cuts last year by spending reserve funds down to the
legal minimum of 2 percent. No such cushion exists
this year. Those reserves are gone, while services,
programs and employees must still be funded.”
McCully identifies Trustees' budgeting failures and challenges
Nov 24, 2006 Filed in: McCully,
Charles
Interim Superintendent McCully announces major cuts this year and next, ending a brief period of optimism that had depended largely on spending down reserves. Though the district will receive 8.5 percent more revenue from the state, McCully suggested mid-year cuts of about $9.4 million at the Dec. 11 board meeting, and said the district will work on eliminating at least $9 million in additional ongoing costs beginning next year.
CUSD says intersection improvements needed for new high school
Nov 07, 2006 Filed in: Lohman,
Shawn
Shawn Lohman, The Orange County
Register "Without La Pata
improvements or intersection improvements (at
Ortega) there would be an impact on the high
school."
Lohman is the director of facilities planning for the CUSD.
Lohman is the director of facilities planning for the CUSD.
Reader thinks term limits would lessen divisiveness and bring accountability
Oct 22, 2006 Filed in: Andahl, Mary
Ann
Mary Ann Andahl, The Orange County
Register “If term limits were set
for school-board trustees, I suspect there would be
far fewer recall attempts and less divisiveness
among parents, teachers and supporting staffs.
Perhaps saying, “not this time” to incumbents, some
of whom have serves 20, 30 or more years, would
eliminate the difficulties we read about. From my
experience, those who serve more than eight or 12
years tend to lose focus and ignore the constituency
they serve ... Let’s start sending messages to
career politicians and let them know that we hold
them accountable for their actions even at this
level.
Andahl is a resident of the City of Cypress.
Andahl is a resident of the City of Cypress.
Fleming and Trustees knew or should have known Mello-Roos taxes were used for new admin building
Oct 12, 2006 Filed in: Casserly,
Barbara
Barbara Casserly, The Capistrano
Dispatch “I had requested an
accounting of 87-1 Mello Roos funds in April 2004
via a legally binding California Public Record
request which resulted in 29 four inch volumes being
provided to search for answers. That led to a
meeting in June 2004 with Dave Doomey, Assistant
Superintendent where answers were still not
provided. On Sept 21, 2006 Sherry Hahn CUSD CFO said
she had been instructed by Mr. McCully to provide
the requested information. Two and one half years
after I first asked a question I learned that $20
million dollars from the 87-1 fund had always been
allocated to a new administration building. The
Trustees all knew, or should have known that a
portion of Mission Viejo/Aliso Viejo 87-1 Mello Roos
was designated in 1990 to pay for a district office
building. In 2004 the Fleming Administration was
unwilling to admit that to the public.”
Casserly is a Mission Viejo resident and PTA leader.
Casserly is a Mission Viejo resident and PTA leader.
Trustees owe public an explanation for the lies they told or condoned
Oct 12, 2006 Filed in: Casserly,
Barbara
Barbara Casserly, The Capistrano
Dispatch “Now is the time for the
CUSD Trustees to explain to the public why they
lied, or allowed lies to be promulgated repeatedly
by Jim Fleming. Time after time, publication after
publication, the public was informed that the funds
for the administration building were restricted to
bricks and mortar in San Juan Capistrano. Prominent
members of the public continue to believe that every
dime for the new administration building could only
be used for an administration building in San Juan
Capistrano.”
Casserly is a Mission Viejo resident and PTA leader.
Casserly is a Mission Viejo resident and PTA leader.
Fleming Trustees should be ashamed, owe public an apology
Oct 12, 2006 Filed in: Casserly,
Barbara
Barbara Casserly, The Capistrano
Dispatch “The current CUSD
Trustees who allowed that environment to exist need
to be voted out of elected office because they were
responsible for the management of an out of control
superintendent, Jim Fleming. The Trustees should be
ashamed for what they allowed to occur during the
Fleming administration. The public deserves an
apology.”
Casserly is a Mission Viejo resident and PTA leader.
Casserly is a Mission Viejo resident and PTA leader.
Fleming trustees cannot be trusted, new leaders needed to save district from mess they created
Oct 12, 2006 Filed in: Casserly,
Barbara
Barbara Casserly, The Capistrano
Dispatch “As Friedrich Nietzsche
said 'I’m not upset that you lied to me, I’m upset
that from now on I can’t believe you' ... It will
take new leadership to restore credibility in CUSD
and lead this district out of this embarrassing
mess.”
Casserly is a Mission Viejo resident and PTA leader.
Casserly is a Mission Viejo resident and PTA leader.
PTA parent was loyal to Fleming until investigated and threatened
Oct 12, 2006 Filed in: Casserly,
Barbara
Barbara Casserly, The Capistrano
Dispatch "I was a loyal supporter
of Dr. Fleming and the Trustees until I was
investigated and threatened that if I continued to
ask questions, future funding might not come to
Mission Viejo. I am ashamed that I did not make my
concerns public because of fear of retaliation."
PTA member recounts heavy-handed tactics leveled against her by former Superintendent Fleming and the Trustees.
PTA member recounts heavy-handed tactics leveled against her by former Superintendent Fleming and the Trustees.
Candidate LeBon self-destructs in hilarious, humiliating spectacle before GOP nominating committee
Sep 20, 2006 Filed in: Mickadeit,
Frank
Mickadeit is a columnist for the Orange County Register.
Supervisors refer ROV investigation to Election Center to avoid dealing with controversy directly
Sep 18, 2006 Filed in: OC
Register
Like Waldrip, the Election Center was good choice for a whitewash investigation
Sep 18, 2006 Filed in: OC
Register
Registrar's errors leaned suspiciously in school district's favor
Sep 18, 2006 Filed in: OC
Register
Election Center prepared report without input from key witness
Sep 18, 2006 Filed in: OC
Register
Election Center report cost $25,000, resolved no material issues and offered trival suggestions
Sep 18, 2006 Filed in: OC
Register
Smollar testifies that Fleming lied about consultant Mike Eggers and the funding sources for the new administration building
Sep 15, 2006 Filed in: Smollar,
David
Deposition of David
J. Smollar, Lackey vs.
CUSD, p. 137
"Q There's a
sentence, and I'll read it to you, "I no longer
believe myself capable of communicating a true
picture of CUSD." Why did you write that? A Because
of what had occurred both with the lying on Eggers,
the lying about his voucher, and the fact that the
superintendent was still writing in his -- or
dictating in his documents that the funding was
redevelopment money, it could only be used for, you
know, limited purposes, I mean, we were still trying
to pedal that line."
Former CUSD Communications Director Smollar testifies that the district lied to cover up illegal express advocacy in its hiring of political consultant Mike Eggers at taxpayer expense, and to cover up the truth about the financing of the new administration building with its "redevelopment funds" lies.
Former CUSD Communications Director Smollar testifies that the district lied to cover up illegal express advocacy in its hiring of political consultant Mike Eggers at taxpayer expense, and to cover up the truth about the financing of the new administration building with its "redevelopment funds" lies.
Judge rules CUSD's "guiding principle" effectively discriminated based on race
Sep 04, 2006 Filed in: OC
Register
CUSD should view people as individuals, not members of racial groups
Sep 04, 2006 Filed in: Browne,
Sharon
Sharon Browne, The Orange County
Register “Our public schools
should teach students to view people as individuals
rather than members of certain racial groups.”
That’s the right guiding principle – one that CUSD’s leadership should readily embrace. Browne is a Pacific Legal Foundation principal attorney.
That’s the right guiding principle – one that CUSD’s leadership should readily embrace. Browne is a Pacific Legal Foundation principal attorney.
Racial gerrymandering another symptom of arrogant CUSD leadership
Sep 04, 2006 Filed in: OC
Register
Judge rules CUSD's racial gerrymandering violates Prop 209
Sep 04, 2006 Filed in: OC
Register
Many thought the proposed great expense of the new admin building was a joke
Aug 31, 2006 Filed in: Plepler,
Pat
Guest columnist Plepler is a Dana Point resident.
If possible, admin building should be sold and money spent on facilities and supplies for the children
Aug 31, 2006 Filed in: Plepler,
Pat
Guest columnist Plepler is a Dana Point resident.
Volzke asks whether voters will hold SJC Councilmembers Hart and Swerdlin accountable for biased, backroom politics
Aug 24, 2006 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Volzke is the publisher of The Capistrano Dispatch.
CUSD scandals followed by DA raid and grand jury subpoenas
Aug 21, 2006 Filed in: OC
Register
Common thread of CUSD scandals - arrogance of power
Aug 21, 2006 Filed in: OC
Register
CUSD a poster child to warn other districts as its culture of corruption unravels
Aug 21, 2006 Filed in: OC
Register
Fleming resignation should not deter investigations, new leadership, oversight
Aug 21, 2006 Filed in: OC
Register
Recall effort focused attention on CUSD, raised public awareness
Aug 21, 2006 Filed in: OC
Register
Smollar explains enenies list facts to dispell drivel of Fleming sychophant Erin Kutnick
Aug 10, 2006 Filed in: Smollar,
David
David Smollar, The Capistrano
Dispatch "James
Fleming denied for two weeks the existence of any
hit list, even though the OC Register had three
versions of such a list. He first had Asst. Supt.
Susan McGill tell the Register that it must be a
list from the Registrar of Voters. (Interesting that
he remembered his Registrar list instantly, although
he later lied to the OC Register and LA Times that
he had ever received
that list.) The
OC Register then faxed him the first two pages of one
version to “refresh his memory.” He still claimed
no knowledge of
the list, and then said that any such list would have
been prepared by me! He had special software ordered to
put on my old computer to find the list. (Sorry, Jim, I
never had it.) He made available to the media various
sycophants in his employ, including Dan Crawford and
Jeff Bristow, to say what a miserable, disgruntled
employee I was (Hmmm, I worked 4 1/2 years under
Fleming, and never received any evaluation, oral or
written, complaining about my performance.) The
Register, fortunately, had the facts and printed the
article. And then a week later—two weeks after first
asked about the list—lo and behold the good Dr. Fleming
issues reams of paper worthy of Rube Goldberg to
explain that the list was all part of a hacking
investigation. Of course! Just slipped his mind. How
risible! To conduct a hacking probe, you don’t need to
compile an extensive list of 150 parent names,
including the schools attended by their kids and
replete with special notations on 40 of the
individuals. And Fleming
still hasn’t said
who created the list, which he now admits was in his
possession. “Journalist” Kutnick conveniently glides
over the fact that Fleming ordered me to withhold the
list from Kevin Murphy, as well as a memo to Fleming
from security director Ed Kovac, despite the fact that
they were public documents from files in Fleming’s
office."
Kutnick is a columnist for The Capistrano Dispatch. Smollar is the former Director of Communications at Capistrano Unified School District.
Kutnick is a columnist for The Capistrano Dispatch. Smollar is the former Director of Communications at Capistrano Unified School District.
Smollar says preparation of such lists was Fleming's modus operandi
Aug 10, 2006 Filed in: Smollar,
David
David Smollar, The Capistrano
Dispatch "But
preparation of the list was modus operandi for
Fleming. He’s not a great strategic mind; he thinks
ahead about five minutes most of the time. He craves
information, especially on his many detractors. And
he craved information about the recall people. Just
examine the raft of e-mails and memos that Fleming
prepared and sent across the CUSD universe of
parents, principals administrators the weekend of
April 23-24, 2005, in preparation for the April 25
board meeting when recall notices were presented. He
was consumed with the recall, and had just gotten
the 150 names on April 21, off an intercepted Kevin
Murphy e-mail. He surely wanted to know who they
were. That’s his style. Fleming wrote to trustees on
April 22 in a fax that the e-mail appeared to be a
“veritable ‘who’s who’ list of San Juan Hills and
Arroyo Vista NIMBYS as well as some of the more
volatile opponents to the attendance boundary
proposal.” The list could not have been done without
Fleming’s express knowledge and direction, because
its compilation would have required hours upon hours
of tedious work using the district’s cumbersome
Aeries student information system. No person in his
or her right mind would otherwise have spent 10
hours-plus doing it."
Kutnick is a columnist for The Capistrano Dispatch. Smollar is the former Director of Communications at Capistrano Unified School District.
Kutnick is a columnist for The Capistrano Dispatch. Smollar is the former Director of Communications at Capistrano Unified School District.
Smollar exposes Erin Kutnick's blind eye concerning Fleming's serious public records and open meeting violations
Aug 10, 2006 Filed in: Smollar,
David
David Smollar, The Capistrano
Dispatch "Maybe
Erin Kutnick could develop some journalism skills by
exploring Fleming’s deliberate underreporting of his
true 2004-05 compensation by some $65,000, or his
efforts to subvert the public meetings act through
bogus closed sessions on his “evaluation,” called by
state Brown Act experts the worst violations they’ve
seen in a quarter century! An easy question to start
with: Why would Fleming even want to have mundane
topics about school uniforms, calendars, etc. etc.
in a closed session?"
Kutnick is a columnist for The Capistrano Dispatch. Smollar is the former Director of Communications at Capistrano Unified School District.
Kutnick is a columnist for The Capistrano Dispatch. Smollar is the former Director of Communications at Capistrano Unified School District.
Smollar chides Erin Kutnick for ignoring the district's illegal hiring of Mike Eggers as a political consultant
Aug 10, 2006 Filed in: Smollar,
David
David Smollar, The Capistrano
Dispatch "Or maybe
Kutnick might want to ask Fleming and Draper about
their lies to Dispatch editor Jonathan Volzke in
fall 2005 when he had clear evidence that Mike
Eggers, a longtime Draper friend and the paid
political gun for the trustees, was writing
Fleming’s monthly column for the community
newspapers. They said it was just a “favor” by
Eggers. Hah! The truth is that Draper had forced
Fleming to give Eggers final say over both his
weekly electronic newsletter and his monthly column.
Fleming only exploded over this unusual yoke and
forced Draper to back off when Eggers got too big
for his britches and approached deputy
superintendents Crawford, Dave Doomey and Marge
LaRoe, behind Fleming’s back, saying that Draper
wanted them to work with Eggers on a strategic plan
for the district. Unfortunately for Eggers, Crawford
and Doomey went to Fleming, who said he then had a
“Come to Jesus” meeting with Draper and forced her
to scale back Egger’s interference in district
operations."
Kutnick is a columnist for The Capistrano Dispatch. Smollar is the former Director of Communications at Capistrano Unified School District.
Kutnick is a columnist for The Capistrano Dispatch. Smollar is the former Director of Communications at Capistrano Unified School District.
Smollar dares Erin Kutnick to cover Dave Doomeys role in soliciting political contributions from a list of district vendors
Aug 10, 2006 Filed in: Smollar,
David
David Smollar, The Capistrano
Dispatch "Maybe
sleuth Kutnick could revisit Draper telling the
Dispatch and other media that contributions from
district contractors to the trustee’s Political
Action Committee “Kids First” were made from the
goodness of their hearts and weren’t solicited.
Another not-so-little lie. The business division
under Doomey printed out a list of major district
vendors for Draper, as directed to do so."
Kutnick is a columnist for The Capistrano Dispatch. Smollar is the former Director of Communications at Capistrano Unified School District.
Kutnick is a columnist for The Capistrano Dispatch. Smollar is the former Director of Communications at Capistrano Unified School District.
Smollar reveals Erin Kutnick's bias in favor of, and expectation of preferred treatement from CUSD
Aug 10, 2006 Filed in: Smollar,
David
David Smollar, The Capistrano
Dispatch "Kutnick’s
initial approach to me was not just as a Dispatch
columnist, but as a Dispatch columnist
and “friend of
district” who expected inside information. She was less
than pleased initially when I told her she’d be treated
as any other reporter: with respect but not as a
friend, since any good reporter, no matter how
“friendly,” will slice and dice you, if they uncover
evidence that allows them to do so. After that was
clear, she called me occasionally for data, and I
usually referred her to employees who had the
information. Her columns didn’t really register much in
the district office, one way or the other."
Kutnick is a columnist for The Capistrano Dispatch. Smollar is the former Director of Communications at Capistrano Unified School District.
Kutnick is a columnist for The Capistrano Dispatch. Smollar is the former Director of Communications at Capistrano Unified School District.
Smollar educates Erin Kutnick on fact that Fleming conceived and controlled CUSD's Media Watch
Aug 10, 2006 Filed in: Smollar,
David
David Smollar, The Capistrano
Dispatch "Regarding
the district’s Media Watch, Kutnick should do a little
reporting and find out that Media Watch was the
brainchild of Fleming, who directed and approved every
listing. Or has Kutnick forgotten that Fleming
prepared, before I ever worked in CUSD, a breathless
100-page rebuttal to articles written by OC Register
reporter Keith Sharon on overcrowding at Capistrano
Valley High, and made the rebuttal an agenda item at a
board meeting!! Fleming needed no lessons from me on
how to battle with the media. I actually improved the
relationship between the Register and the district over
time, no small feat."
Kutnick is a columnist for The Capistrano Dispatch. Smollar is the former Director of Communications at Capistrano Unified School District.
Kutnick is a columnist for The Capistrano Dispatch. Smollar is the former Director of Communications at Capistrano Unified School District.
Smollar rejects Erin Kutnick's suggestion that better PR by Smollar could have averted recall
Aug 10, 2006 Filed in: Smollar,
David
David Smollar, The Capistrano
Dispatch "Kutnick’s
snide little remark, that a better PR effort from me
might have avoided the recall, is truly laughable. That
old bromide -- “if only we had communicated better” --
apes the broken-record spoutings especially of Mike
Darnold. He consistently bad-mouthed me to many,
apparently never taking the time to peruse his weekly
trustee packet from Fleming, filled regularly with
positive articles about CUSD teachers and students
published in the seven Register weeklies blanketing the
district. Perhaps Fleming and Draper failed to mention
to Kutnick the numerous op-ed articles I ghosted for
Fleming in the LA Times, or the School News Roll Call
newspaper I arranged for the district, or my success in
keeping the two from being flailed by John Stoessel on
ABC’s 20-20, and so on and so forth. The great pr ideas
of a $10,000 consultant hired during the recall effort,
at the insistence of Draper, were along the lines of
bringing real estate agents to the district boardroom
for a briefing and placing inspirational sayings on
school marquees."
Kutnick is a columnist for The Capistrano Dispatch. Smollar is the former Director of Communications at Capistrano Unified School District.
Kutnick is a columnist for The Capistrano Dispatch. Smollar is the former Director of Communications at Capistrano Unified School District.
Smollar enlightens Erin Kutnick that no amount of PR could overcome facts of CUSD wrongdoings
Aug 10, 2006 Filed in: Smollar,
David
David Smollar, The Capistrano
Dispatch "Unfortunately,
no communicator on Earth could stem community anger
that built from genuine controversies over
attendance boundaries, school overcrowding in Rancho
Santa Margarita, machinations concerning San Juan
Hills High and Dennis Gage, and the scope of an
expensive new education center. As to the new
center, maybe Kutnick could offer me suggestions on
how to be a better communicator, when for more than
three years Fleming never told me that the cost
would be covered almost half through Mello-Roos
fees, not solely from redevelopment funds from San
Juan Capistrano. You may learn someday, Erin
Kutnick, that your communication is only as good as
the truth of the information given you by the people
you have to trust for the truth. I learned about the
center’s complicated financing only after real
journalists filed public records requests for
funding details."
Kutnick is a columnist for The Capistrano Dispatch. Smollar is the former Director of Communications at Capistrano Unified School District.
Kutnick is a columnist for The Capistrano Dispatch. Smollar is the former Director of Communications at Capistrano Unified School District.
Smollar "disgruntled" due to lies - Fleming, Draper and others to blame for taking focus off teaching and learning
Aug 10, 2006 Filed in: Smollar,
David
David Smollar, The Capistrano
Dispatch "Yes,
Erin Kutnick, I grew most unhappy as I learned of
the lies, hype and exaggeration from the top. Anyone
with a moral compass would be disgusted, and there
are many in the district silently relieved at the
end of the Fleming regime. For the record, I
resigned, and Fleming then gave me a letter offering
to “be of assistance in my future endeavors.” So
much for your little innuendo hinting at something
else. I’m sure Fleming would love now to say he
fired me, but that’s one lie, if told, that would
definitely have legal consequences for him. And yes,
it’s sad that the community’s focus has been taken
off teaching and learning, but the blame lies
squarely at the feet of Fleming, Draper and the gang
with their arrogance of power."
Kutnick is a columnist for The Capistrano Dispatch. Smollar is the former Director of Communications at Capistrano Unified School District.
Kutnick is a columnist for The Capistrano Dispatch. Smollar is the former Director of Communications at Capistrano Unified School District.
OC Register senior editor jubilant Fleming resigned
Jul 30, 2006 Filed in: Greenhut,
Steven
Greenhut is senior editorial writier and columnist for The Orange County Register.
Greenhut emphasizes need for accountability among CUSD leadership
Jul 30, 2006 Filed in: Greenhut,
Steven
Greenhut referring to the need for real accountability at CUSD for the numerous misdeeds revealed in a summer of multiple scandals involving Superintendent Fleming and other CUSD leaders. Greenhut is senior editorial writier and columnist for The Orange County Register.
Legal expert calls CUSD worst violator of state open-meetings law seen in 25 years, calls for district attorney to file charges
Jul 27, 2006 Filed in: Francke,
Terry
Francke reviewed staff notes on a CUSD closed-session meeting held July 30, 2005, during which 31 items of school business were discussed as part of the "superintendent's performance evaluation." Francke said, "I don't see any noted discussion on the superintendent's performance whatsoever." Francke is one of the state's foremost experts on open-meetings law. He is also general counsel for Californians Aware.
Clueless in The OC! No Fleming misdeed is too offensive for OC Superintendent Bill Habermehl
Jul 21, 2006 Filed in: Habermehl,
William
Orange County Schools Superintendent William Habermehl said he felt sorry for Fleming and the Capistrano community because of the recent enemies list scandal. But despite that, he thought Fleming left a positive legacy – and a very attractive job opening. Looks like Habermehl has been drinking the CUSD Kool Aid. Hey Bill, you forgot to mention that test scores are high.
Legal expert says Fleming should be held accountable for staff's wrongful actions and omissions
Jul 20, 2006 Filed in: Francke,
Terry
Terry Francke, chief lawyer for Californians Aware, a public watchdog group, said that Fleming should be held accountable for any lies told by his administrators with his blessings. Francke, an expert in the state’s public records law, commented that, although there is no penalty under California public records law for giving false information to the media, government officials like Fleming should be held accountable for their wrongful actions or omissions.
Smollar confirms Fleming's and Trustees' amoral character
Jul 18, 2006 Filed in: Smollar,
David
David Smollar, The Orange County
Register "Mostly, I thought they
were white lies, exaggerations, and I'd correct
them," Smollar says. "But then with the recall, I
realized they (Fleming and the board) would stop at
nothing."
Smollar, former CUSD spokeperson, confirms the amoral, by-any-means-necessary characters of former Superintendent James Fleming and the CUSD Trustees he served under.
Smollar, former CUSD spokeperson, confirms the amoral, by-any-means-necessary characters of former Superintendent James Fleming and the CUSD Trustees he served under.
Smollar says Flemings kept list of names ilegally obtained from registrar's office
Jul 12, 2006 Filed in: OC
Register
Registrar's conduct could undermine legitimacy of democratic process
Jul 12, 2006 Filed in: OC
Register
Registrar admits not knowing law restricting access to recall petitions
Jul 12, 2006 Filed in: OC
Register
Fears of retribution among recall supporters not surprising
Jul 12, 2006 Filed in: OC
Register
Outside investigations in order for both CUSD and registrar
Jul 12, 2006 Filed in: OC
Register
Outside investigations in order for both CUSD and registrar
Jul 11, 2006 Filed in: OC
Register
CUSD likely engaged in illegal express advocacy in preparation of enemies lists
Jul 11, 2006 Filed in: OC
Register
Conflicts prevent independent investigation of Fleming by Trustees
Jul 11, 2006 Filed in: OC
Register
The Orange County Register hits the nail on the head by exposing the obvious conflict of interest that ultimately led to the less-than-independent Waldrip investigation.
Benecke supports Fleming's unethical use of mole to spy on recall proponents in private home
Jul 11, 2006 Filed in: Benecke,
Sheila
Benecke told The Orange County Register that she supports Fleming's use of a pro-board informant who infiltrated the recall campaign by entering a private home of recall proponents to spy on them. By condoning and excusing such unethical behavior, Benecke reveals how closely allied she is with Fleming and how corrupt she has become in defending him.
Fleming publishes CUSD's dishonest admin building spin, lies about savings, CSR and funding source
Jun 29, 2006 Filed in: Fleming,
James
The district kept the leases anyway, putting Fresh Start children into the old administration building they said was too dangerous for administrators due to possible train derailments; the $550,000 they expected to "recapture" was offset by more than $1 million in annual interest payments for the financing of the new administration building; and Associate Superintendent Dave Doomey later admitted that the "restricted" construction funds story was a lie. Fleming is the Superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School District.
Fleming confirms selfish, misplaced priorities of trustees and staff
Jun 29, 2006 Filed in: Fleming,
James
So, Fleming admits that six years ago, while the district was beginning a series of deficit budgets and student overcrowding and facilities deficiencies had become a crisis at schools like Capistrano Valley High School, CUSD was developing a "comprehensive" plan for its new administration building. During the CUSD Recall campaign in 2005, Trustee Marlene Draper tried to cover for CUSD's embarrassing, decrepit portable classrooms, telling the press that the district had a "strategic plan" to remove them - a plan that was at least two years old. Of course, Interim Superintendent Charles McCully later confirmed that no such strategic plan existed and, to add insult to injury, immediately following the recall campaign, the Trustees showed their true colors by voting unanimously to pay for a study to maximize portables at every campus in the district. Even if Draper had been telling the truth about the "strategic" plan for the kids, it wouldn't have held a candle to the "comprehensive" six-year plan the trustees and staff dishonestly and secretly carried out for the new administration building. Fleming is the Superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School District.
Fleming spins to justify Taj Mahal with more dishonest rhetoric
Jun 29, 2006 Filed in: Fleming,
James
Fleming tries to justify the district's new administration building with half-truths that completely ignore the gross inequity of cramming students into substandard portables while splurging on administrative faciliites that aren't just nice, but according the press, is probably the nicest in the entire State of California (KCET, Life & Times) or even the country (ABC 20-20). Fleming is the Superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School District.
Kevin Murphy resigns as recall chairman
Jan 12, 2006 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Kevin Murphy, the San Juan man who launched the recall effort over new high school boundaries, San Juan Hills High School, the district’s $35 million administration building and other issues, said the effort was beset by internal struggles as groups from throughout the district merged.
Kevin Murphy declares his political life at an end
Jan 12, 2006 Filed in: Stroud,
Keith
Stroud is a columnist for The Capistrano Dispatch.
Kevin Murphy a gracious gladiator? Hardly. While other leaders say "thanks," Murphy quits and points fingers
Jan 12, 2006 Filed in: Stroud,
Keith
While the Recall Committee accepted Murphy's resignation and publicly announced that the people of South Orange County owed him a debt of gratitude for his role in the recall campaign, the best Murphy could do was blame other recall leaders for the failure of the recall campaign. Nice job Murphy ... that's leadership! Stroud, a columnist for The Capistrano Dispatch, called Murphy a "gracious gladiator" for his "honesty" and "candor," and even called him "honorable" for not mentioning the names of the recall leaders he was publicly smearing by innuendo -- the very kind of offensive conduct for which Stroud criticized other recall proponents in the same article. As a recall leader, Murphy had proven to be a toothless tiger, refusing to acknowledge or confront CUSD on issues of corruption to the delight of a school district sycophant like Stroud.
Potential for retribution most chilling aspect of enemies lists
Jan 11, 2006 Filed in: OC
Register
CUSD concealment of records likely violated Public Records Act
Jan 11, 2006 Filed in: OC
Register
OC Register says DA should investigate CUSD enemies lists
Jan 11, 2006 Filed in: Smollar,
David
Editorial, The Orange County
Register "This is a chilling
abuse of power that should be thoroughly
investigated by the county district attorney."
The Register's editorial staff reacts to news report previous day that the Capistrano Unified School District “kept lists of 150 families who supported last year’s board recall campaign, detailing such personal information as where their children went to school.”
Kevin Murphy announces he quits efforts to reform CUSD
Jan 01, 2006 Filed in: Murphy,
Kevin
Trabuco Canyon News
“In related
news, recall organizer and chairman, Kevin Murphy,
announced that he would no longer be involved with
the continuing efforts to reform CUSD."
Murphy served as Chairman of the CUSD Recall Committee until his resignation on December 22, 2006, the day the Registrar of Voters announced that the recall petition campaign had failed.
Murphy served as Chairman of the CUSD Recall Committee until his resignation on December 22, 2006, the day the Registrar of Voters announced that the recall petition campaign had failed.
Recall Committee pays tribute Kevin Murphy; Committee will continue to lead reform campaign
Jan 01, 2006 Filed in: Russell,
Tom
Russell is the official spokesperson for the CUSD Recall Committee.
Recall Committee says, "This battle is not over"
Jan 01, 2006 Filed in: Russell,
Tom
Russell, the spokesperson for the CUSD Recall Committee, reacts to the Registrar's December 22, 2005 announcement that the recall petition campaign had failed.
Kevin Murphy quits local politics, Recall Committee will continue reform campaign
Dec 29, 2005 Filed in: Murphy,
Kevin
Sam Miller, Capistrano Valley
News "Recall
leader Kevin Murphy said Thursday that he would step
out of local politics. Another leader of the recall
group said the effort will go on."
Murphy served as Chairman of the CUSD Recall Committee until his resignation on December 22, 2006, the day the Registrar of Voters announced that the recall petition campaign had failed. The other leader was Tom Russell, official spokesperson for the CUSD Recall Committee. Russell served with Murphy as a committee member since the inception of the recall committee.
Murphy served as Chairman of the CUSD Recall Committee until his resignation on December 22, 2006, the day the Registrar of Voters announced that the recall petition campaign had failed. The other leader was Tom Russell, official spokesperson for the CUSD Recall Committee. Russell served with Murphy as a committee member since the inception of the recall committee.
Murphy resigned, but Recall Committee will continue to lead reform campaign
Dec 29, 2005 Filed in: Russell,
Tom
Russell, spokesperson for the CUSD Recall Committee, explained that the group will plan new strategies as it continues to lead the campaign to reform CUSD.
Murphy says he has no further plans to continue opposing the district
Dec 23, 2005 Filed in: Murphy,
Kevin
Murphy said that he has no further plans to continue opposing the district. Murphy served as Chairman of the CUSD Recall Committee until his resignation on December 22, 2006, the day the Registrar of Voters announced that the recall petition campaign had failed.
Carolyn Williams conduct - Illegal? Probably not. Unethical? Absolutely.
Oct 09, 2005 Filed in: OC
Register
If Williams acted only as a citizen, she shouldn't have used her position to persuade others
Oct 09, 2005 Filed in: OC
Register
Using public money for politicking is illegal, but agencies like CUSD routinely and unethically push the envelope
Oct 09, 2005 Filed in: OC
Register
DHHS Principal Carolyn Williams' use of school title for politicking inappropriate and sleezy
Oct 09, 2005 Filed in: OC
Register
Sita Helms says unhealthy environment was motive for filing Williams Act claim
Jul 14, 2005 Filed in: Helms,
Sita
Sita Helms, Sun Post News
"When your
kids are in an unhealthy environment, you'll do
whatever...but it never got rid of the smell."
On June 16, approximately 50 parents, headed by Sita Helms, filed a complaint with Las Palmas Elementary School and Capistrano Unified School District, alleging unhealthy classroom conditions, deteriorated buildings, sewer back flow and more. Helms expressed concern because of the sewage smell in the kindergarten rooms and kids coming home sick from some kind of exposure in the portables. The children, she said, should be provided for because they are the No. 1 concern. She said parents try to make situations better at the 75 year-old school by cleaning or purchasing air filters, Helms said. She cleaned the kindergarten bathrooms thinking she could help with the smell.
On June 16, approximately 50 parents, headed by Sita Helms, filed a complaint with Las Palmas Elementary School and Capistrano Unified School District, alleging unhealthy classroom conditions, deteriorated buildings, sewer back flow and more. Helms expressed concern because of the sewage smell in the kindergarten rooms and kids coming home sick from some kind of exposure in the portables. The children, she said, should be provided for because they are the No. 1 concern. She said parents try to make situations better at the 75 year-old school by cleaning or purchasing air filters, Helms said. She cleaned the kindergarten bathrooms thinking she could help with the smell.
Las Palmas mother says conditions at school are so bad, she tells children to wait to use bathroom at home
Jul 14, 2005 Filed in: MacDonald,
Kiki
Kiki Macdonald, Sun Post News
"Las Palmas
is such a great school, I hate to complain, but when
it comes to health, cleanliness and sanitation, I
have to (say something)."
For Kiki Macdonald, of San Clemente, it is a health and sanitary issue at Las Palmas Elementary School. Things at the school are in need of repair, she said, and she isn't sure what's going to be fixed with the remodel. Macdonald said she has heard of health problems related to mold and knows the bathrooms need help. She said she'll tell her children, unless it's really bad, to wait and go to the bathroom when they get home. In addition, she said the carpets are in need of attention.
For Kiki Macdonald, of San Clemente, it is a health and sanitary issue at Las Palmas Elementary School. Things at the school are in need of repair, she said, and she isn't sure what's going to be fixed with the remodel. Macdonald said she has heard of health problems related to mold and knows the bathrooms need help. She said she'll tell her children, unless it's really bad, to wait and go to the bathroom when they get home. In addition, she said the carpets are in need of attention.
Las Palmas parent concerned over effectiveness of repair efforts
Jul 14, 2005 Filed in: Archbold,
Shannon
Shannon Archbold, Sun Post Post
News "No matter how hard they
work, it's hard to keep up an old (75-year-old)
facility... It's like putting a Band-Aid on it (the
problem)."
Archbold, a Capistrano Beach residient, believes school teachers, administration and staff are trying their hardest to make her children's school (Las Palmas Elementary) its best, but after watching the problems continue and trying to be patient as other pressing issues around the district arise, there she believes there comes a point when parents have to say enough is enough.
Archbold, a Capistrano Beach residient, believes school teachers, administration and staff are trying their hardest to make her children's school (Las Palmas Elementary) its best, but after watching the problems continue and trying to be patient as other pressing issues around the district arise, there she believes there comes a point when parents have to say enough is enough.
Las Palmas parent tired of district's misplaced priorities
Jul 14, 2005 Filed in: Archbold,
Shannon
Shannon Archbold, Sun Post Post
News "Before I see another
new school get another new lawn or sprinklers ... I
want to see my school fixed."
Archbold, a Las Palmas Elementary School mother, hasn't seen parents' patience with CUSD pay off as kids are ultimately not the No. 1 priority. In terms of the district's new administration building, Archbold sees the profit and cost benefits of having staff in one building, however, she feels the health and educational impact of an old building on children should come before that need. Archbold said the remodel at Las Palmas is a nice effort, but she wonders why a multipurpose room receives attention when kids won't go into the third bathroom because of the smell.
Archbold, a Las Palmas Elementary School mother, hasn't seen parents' patience with CUSD pay off as kids are ultimately not the No. 1 priority. In terms of the district's new administration building, Archbold sees the profit and cost benefits of having staff in one building, however, she feels the health and educational impact of an old building on children should come before that need. Archbold said the remodel at Las Palmas is a nice effort, but she wonders why a multipurpose room receives attention when kids won't go into the third bathroom because of the smell.
Las Palmas principal tries to take high road, but uses DOE to ignore parent concerns
Jul 14, 2005 Filed in: Kramer,
Doug
Doug Kramer, Sun Post News
"This point
is important because neither I nor my colleagues in
the district would ever tolerate a school having
such deficiencies go without repair."
In his letter to the parents, Las Palmas Elementary Principal Kramer talked about an unannounced visit by the Orange County Department of Education in May. Incredibly, even with foul smells and other obvious problems at the school, Kramer wrote that the visiting team found the school to have sufficient materials and had no visual signs of issues that needed addressing. The Orange County Department of Education continues to bat a thousand, turning another blind eye and providing cover for CUSD's failed facilities management.
In his letter to the parents, Las Palmas Elementary Principal Kramer talked about an unannounced visit by the Orange County Department of Education in May. Incredibly, even with foul smells and other obvious problems at the school, Kramer wrote that the visiting team found the school to have sufficient materials and had no visual signs of issues that needed addressing. The Orange County Department of Education continues to bat a thousand, turning another blind eye and providing cover for CUSD's failed facilities management.
CUSD Recall Committee: teachers good, administration bad, no oversight by trustees
Jun 12, 2005 Filed in: Russell,
Tom
Russell is the spokesperson for the CUSD Recall Committee.
Register senior editor predicts that the results of the recall campaign may come down to the pictures
Jun 12, 2005 Filed in: Greenhut,
Steven
Greenhut is a columnist and senior editor of The Orange County Register.
Recall Committee spokesperson emphasizes "wretched administration" as reason for recall
Jun 12, 2005 Filed in: Russell,
Tom
Russell focuses on culture of corruption that is behind most of the serious issues at CUSD. Russell is the spokesperson for the CUSD Recall Committee.
Volzke questions SJC City Council's resolution opposing recall
Jun 09, 2005 Filed in: Volzke,
Jonathan
Reaction to San Juan Capistrano City Council's resolution opposing a recall of the CUSD Board of Trustees. Volzke is the editor of the The Capistrano Dispatch.
Nielson questions SJC City Council's resolution opposing recall
Jun 09, 2005 Filed in: Nielson,
Mark
Reaction to San Juan Capistrano City Council's resolution opposing a recall of the CUSD Board of Trustees. Nielson is a CUSD Recall Committee member.
Reader tired of trustees taking credit for results obtained by teachers, students and parents
May 26, 2005 Filed in: Cappello,
Annalee
Annalee Cappello, Capistrano Valley
News "I care about
hard-working people getting the recognition and
credit they deserve. Most of us in the community are
aware that the job of a school board member is not
an easy one. As Ms. Friess states, 'They perform
[it] knowing that they will not be able to please
everyone all of the time.' On this topic, Ms. Friess
speaks accurately, but she grossly misspeaks by
stating that 'These seven individuals are
responsible for the education of our children.'"
Capistrano Valley News reader's reaction to the high praise extolled upon the CUSD board of trustees by in a letter by Jenny Friess published in the Capistrano Valley News on May 12, 2005. Cappello is an English teacher at Marco Forster Middle School, who was presented with the Mayor’s Award for 2005 Educator of the Year by San Juan Capistrano Mayor Wyatt Hart.
Capistrano Valley News reader's reaction to the high praise extolled upon the CUSD board of trustees by in a letter by Jenny Friess published in the Capistrano Valley News on May 12, 2005. Cappello is an English teacher at Marco Forster Middle School, who was presented with the Mayor’s Award for 2005 Educator of the Year by San Juan Capistrano Mayor Wyatt Hart.
Reader tired of trustees taking credit for results obtained by teachers, students and parents
May 26, 2005 Filed in: Cappello,
Annalee
Annalee Cappello, Capistrano Valley
News "Gosh, if I'd known
that, I wouldn't have spent the past 15 years of my
life teaching English at Marco Forster Middle
School, nor would I have spent the past seven years
supplementing at home what my daughter has been
learning in CUSD schools. I think I would have gone
shopping, booked a day at the spa, or gone to the
beach. After all, according to Ms. Friess's words,
these seven people are responsible for the education
of the 140+ students that I see every day in my
classroom. I guess I don't need to be there."
Capistrano Valley News reader's reaction to the high praise extolled upon the CUSD board of trustees by in a letter by Jenny Friess published in the Capistrano Valley News on May 12, 2005. Cappello is an English teacher at Marco Forster Middle School, who was presented with the Mayor’s Award for 2005 Educator of the Year by San Juan Capistrano Mayor Wyatt Hart.
Capistrano Valley News reader's reaction to the high praise extolled upon the CUSD board of trustees by in a letter by Jenny Friess published in the Capistrano Valley News on May 12, 2005. Cappello is an English teacher at Marco Forster Middle School, who was presented with the Mayor’s Award for 2005 Educator of the Year by San Juan Capistrano Mayor Wyatt Hart.
Reader tired of trustees taking credit for results obtained by teachers, students and parents
May 26, 2005 Filed in: Cappello,
Annalee
Annalee Cappello, Capistrano Valley
News "Here's the real deal:
The seven CUSD board members are not solely
responsible for the education of our children. They
do make many policy decisions that impact on our
children's education. I feel confident that CVN
readers are savvy enough that it takes a lot more
than these seven elected officials, most of whom
have no experience actually teaching kids, to be
responsible for teaching our children. This
responsibility involves parents and teachers working
together. During these lean financial times, it
takes the help of community members and business
partners to make things happen for the benefit of
our children. All of us who work hard to educate
children deserve public praise, not just the seven
members of the school board."
Capistrano Valley News reader's reaction to the high praise extolled upon the CUSD board of trustees by in a letter by Jenny Friess published in the Capistrano Valley News on May 12, 2005. Cappello is an English teacher at Marco Forster Middle School, who was presented with the Mayor’s Award for 2005 Educator of the Year by San Juan Capistrano Mayor Wyatt Hart.
Capistrano Valley News reader's reaction to the high praise extolled upon the CUSD board of trustees by in a letter by Jenny Friess published in the Capistrano Valley News on May 12, 2005. Cappello is an English teacher at Marco Forster Middle School, who was presented with the Mayor’s Award for 2005 Educator of the Year by San Juan Capistrano Mayor Wyatt Hart.
Reader critical of superintendents' compensation
Apr 26, 2005 Filed in: Fanelli,
Al
Al Fanelli, Orange County
Register "The front-page article
about school superintendents' salaries reassured me
of something I already knew - that our tax dollars
are once again being wasted ["O.C. superintendents
in elite pay class," News, April 24]. The salaries
and benefits for these positions are an outrage.
They are paid these salaries, it is said, because it
is hard to get good people and retain them. Maybe we
should take a closer look at those who are doing the
hiring."
Reader's reaction to an article published in The Orange County Register entitled, "O.C. superintendents in elite pay class," News, April 24, 2005.
Reader's reaction to an article published in The Orange County Register entitled, "O.C. superintendents in elite pay class," News, April 24, 2005.
Reader critical of superintendents' compensation
Apr 26, 2005 Filed in: LaBonte,
Rosemary
Rosemary LaBonte, Orange County
Register "The best quote? James
Fleming of Capistrano Unified: 'This job is hard and
demanding.' Cry me a river. Here are some hard and
demanding jobs: air traffic controller; paralegal
with a demanding boss; a guy picking strawberries in
a field for eight hours. The superintendents think
they are part executive, part mediator and part
politician. Actually, the job is 100 percent
politics. And when did those in the teaching
profession become company executives with
"lifestyles" that had to be maintained?"
Reader's reaction to an article published in The Orange County Register entitled, "O.C. superintendents in elite pay class," News, April 24, 2005.
Reader's reaction to an article published in The Orange County Register entitled, "O.C. superintendents in elite pay class," News, April 24, 2005.
Reader critical of superintendents' compensation
Apr 26, 2005 Filed in: Boag,
John
John Boag, Orange County
Register "If there is one thing
government officials do well, in monarchies,
dictatorships or democracies, it is to ensure their
own financial well-being. It should therefore come
as no surprise that local government bureaucrats,
with their six-figure salaries for life, have used
their positions for personal financial gains. It is
absurd to compare private-sector compensation to
that of government employees, since the latter do
not have to worry about profits; they just spend
unlimited taxpayers' money."
Reader's reaction to an article published in The Orange County Register entitled, "Perks fill out city managers' compensation," News, April 25, 2005.
Reader's reaction to an article published in The Orange County Register entitled, "Perks fill out city managers' compensation," News, April 25, 2005.
Fleming says boundaries couldn't be changed without upsetting someone
Mar 30, 2005 Filed in: Fleming,
James
Casabianca makes excuses for Arroyo Vista overcrowding
Aug 22, 2003 Filed in: Casabianca,
John
At the August 18, 2003 board meeting, Trustee Casabianca joined his colleagues in a 7-0 vote, giving final approval for the expansion of Arroyo Vista School from a K-5 to a K-8 school. During Trustee comments, Casabianca remembered dealing with overcrowding at Arroyo Vista -- there were 1,349 kids on campus in 1996 and 1997 -- when his children went to school there. What he refused to address, was that CUSD had created such overcrowding by systemmatically violating the exemption process under Title 14 of the California Environmental Quality Act. Between 1993 and 1999, the district illegally expanded Arroyo Vista School by nearly 100% of its original student capacity without preparing any environmental impact study or report whatsoever -- three times the 25% limit they were restricted to under Title 14. Casabianca and his colleagues were advised of this before he voted to approve the project.
Casabianca acknowledges severity of community division caused by district's Arroyo Vista School expansion plans
Aug 22, 2003 Filed in: Casabianca,
John
Comment made by Trustee Casabianca at the August 18, 2003 board meeting, during which the Trustees, over the objections of numerous residents, approved the construction of the Arroyo Vista K-8 expansion without first completing an environmental report as required by the California Environmental Quality Act.
Draper makes sarcastic remarks to anti-school expansion crowd
Mar 14, 2003 Filed in: Draper,
Marlene
Trustee Draper made this sarcastic remark to rebut the crowd's vocal disapproval of the district's proposed expansion of Arroyo Vista School at the March 9, 2003 Board of Trustees meeting, where local residents made public comments unanimously opposing the district's expansion plans. The meeting was carefully controlled by district officials to avoid discussion of the actual issues of concern to residents (i.e., overbuilding on such a small school site, unsafe traffic and other impacts on the local community, increased usage of the adjacent community park, etc.). Public speakers were kept to one minute instead of the usual three minutes for remarks and were met with sharp reminders from officials that the evening's discussion was centered on K-8s in general, not Arroyo Vista in particular. Draper's comment was rebuffed with defiant applause from the Arroyo Vista crowd who opposed any change to their school, neighborhood and park.
Volunteer speaks out against Draper conflict of interest
Aug 15, 2002 Filed in: Bauer,
Pat
Pat Bauer, Capistrano Valley
News "Either the company has
to pull out or Marlene shouldn't be involved with
the high school. It's a true conflict of interest
because it's a financial gain for her family. It's
the same old good-old-boy thing. There are
innuendoes and you don't know what's happening."
Bauer, a League of Women Voters volunteer and a Whispering Hills opponent, speaks out against Marlene Draper voting to give business to Culbertson, Adams & Associates, a firm working on the Whispering Hills project that also employs her daughter — raising concerns about a conflict of interest.
Bauer, a League of Women Voters volunteer and a Whispering Hills opponent, speaks out against Marlene Draper voting to give business to Culbertson, Adams & Associates, a firm working on the Whispering Hills project that also employs her daughter — raising concerns about a conflict of interest.
Fleming tries to preempt rejection with sleezy letter to save face and lay false foundation for future denials
Dec 20, 1999 Filed in: Webster,
Terry
Terry Webster, The Las Vegas
Sun "Two other finalists,
George Garcia, superintendent of the Tucson Unified
School District in Tucson, Ariz., and James Fleming,
superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School
District in Southern California, were previously
eliminated by the School Board. Almost
simultaneously, Fleming produced a letter to Attea
stating he was no longer interested."
Fleming was being interviewed as a candidate for the position of superintendent of the Clark County School District in Las Vegas Nevada. Webster is a reporter for The Las Vegas Sun.
Fleming was being interviewed as a candidate for the position of superintendent of the Clark County School District in Las Vegas Nevada. Webster is a reporter for The Las Vegas Sun.
Fleming rejected by Clark County School Board, not a team player and concern over leadership style
Dec 08, 1999 Filed in: Webster,
Terry
Terry Webster, The Las Vegas
Sun "One superintendent
candidate for the Clark County School District was
eliminated by the School Board on Tuesday, leaving
two hopefuls in the running. James Fleming,
superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School
District in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., was
scratched from the board's list of finalists ...
Board President Ruth Johnson and board members Mary
Beth Scow, Susan Brager, Shirley Barber and Lois
Tarkanian all named Fleming as the candidate they
were the least interested in ... Barber said she
didn't support Fleming because she prefers someone
with more of a team approach. For Johnson, it was a
matter of fit ... I think it was just his leadership
style.' "
Fleming was being interviewed as a candidate for the position of superintendent of the Clark County School District in Las Vegas Nevada. Webster is a reporter for The Las Vegas Sun.
Fleming was being interviewed as a candidate for the position of superintendent of the Clark County School District in Las Vegas Nevada. Webster is a reporter for The Las Vegas Sun.
Fleming reveals organizational philosophy behind later conspiracies of silence at CUSD
Dec 06, 1999 Filed in: Webster,
Terry
Fleming was being interviewed as a candidate for the position of superintendent of the Clark County School District in Las Vegas Nevada. Webster is a reporter for The Las Vegas Sun.
Fleming rejected as "too bureaucratic," Fleming dodges the allegation, says "bureacrat" means nothing
Dec 06, 1999 Filed in: Webster,
Terry
Terry Webster, The Las Vegas
Sun "One of the main
objections the board presented to Fleming during his
final interview was a perception that he seems too
bureaucratic. Fleming said he would address that by
"humanizing" all of the so-called bureaucrats in the
school district. This could be done by placing
articles about school executives in school
newsletters or magazines. Bureaucrat is a term that
is overused and means nothing, he added."
Fleming was being interviewed as a candidate for the position of superintendent of the Clark County School District in Las Vegas Nevada. Webster is a reporter for The Las Vegas Sun.
Fleming was being interviewed as a candidate for the position of superintendent of the Clark County School District in Las Vegas Nevada. Webster is a reporter for The Las Vegas Sun.
Fleming addresses his controversial image in connection with special education issues
Dec 03, 1999 Filed in: Fleming,
James
Fleming was asked about concerns over a special education controversy surrounding Fleming while he was being interviewed as a candidate for the position of superintendent of the Clark County School District in Las Vegas Nevada. Fleming is the Superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School District.
Fleming too bureaucratic, bad for low-achieving students
Dec 02, 1999 Filed in: Cunningham,
Patricia
Patricia Cunningham, The Las Vegas
Sun "Fleming is exactly what
we don't need. He's too bureaucratic and he puts on
a good face. It's everything low-achieving students
don't need in education."
Cunningham made this remark after watching Fleming in action while being interviewed as a candidate for superintendent of the Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Nevada. Cunningham is the chairwoman for the Alliance for Social Justice.
Cunningham made this remark after watching Fleming in action while being interviewed as a candidate for superintendent of the Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Nevada. Cunningham is the chairwoman for the Alliance for Social Justice.
Fleming showcases his success at building schools and says "accountability" is an essential part of his education philosophy
Dec 02, 1999 Filed in: Webster,
Terry
Terry Webster, The Las Vegas
Sun "Since 1992 Fleming has
been involved in opening 17 new schools in
Capistrano, all of them on time and on budget. His
education philosophy covers four main areas: high
academic expectations for students, hiring the best
teachers, fostering community involvement and
accountability."
Fleming was being interviewed as a candidate for the position of superintendent of the Clark County School District in Las Vegas Nevada. Webster is a reporter for The Las Vegas Sun.
Fleming was being interviewed as a candidate for the position of superintendent of the Clark County School District in Las Vegas Nevada. Webster is a reporter for The Las Vegas Sun.
Fleming criticized as a name-dropper, bureaucrat, too self-promoting
Dec 02, 1999 Filed in: Webster,
Terry
Terry Webster, The Las Vegas
Sun "The strengths and
weaknesses of all of the candidates were aired
during public interviews held by the School Board
and the Superintendent Search Process Committee.
Following his interviews, some of the criticisms
made of Fleming were that he was a name-dropper and
a bureaucrat. Some also said he was too
self-promoting. But Fleming said he sees nothing
wrong with demonstrating he can do the job."
Fleming was being interviewed as a candidate for the position of superintendent of the Clark County School District in Las Vegas Nevada. Webster is a reporter for The Las Vegas Sun.
Fleming was being interviewed as a candidate for the position of superintendent of the Clark County School District in Las Vegas Nevada. Webster is a reporter for The Las Vegas Sun.
CUSD admits it has covered the children’s playgrounds with portables
Oct 01, 1999 Filed in: CUSD
Several years later during the CUSD Recall Campaign, CUSD defended their overuse of portables by denying the actual numbers and percentages of portables at CUSD schools and lying to the public about minimum percentages of portables "required" by the state. The Key Message Points flyer was prepared by CUSD to advocate support for Measure A, a $65 million school bond later approved by voters in 2000.
CUSD portrays portables as a problem when it suits their purpose - when they need money from taxpayers
Oct 01, 1999 Filed in: CUSD
Several years later during the CUSD Recall Campaign, with terrible overcrowding and portables still serious issues for students, Marlene Draper and others at CUSD rebuffed reform advocates by denying that portables were a problem and claiming that it didn't matter if the children were taught in portables as long as their test scores were good. The Key Message Points flyer was prepared by CUSD to advocate support for Measure A, a $65 million school bond later approved by voters in 2000.
CUSD said Mello-Roos residents exempt from Measure A, but didn’t explain they would receive the benefit while others paid
Oct 01, 1999 Filed in: CUSD
But nobody at CUSD explained how they planned to take Measure A monies from taxpayers in areas like Mission Viejo with substandard schools like Newhart Middle School and divert them to priviledged areas like Arroyo Vista in Rancho Santa Margarita where taxpayers were exempt from paying Measure A taxes. The Key Message Points flyer was prepared by CUSD to advocate support for Measure A, a $65 million school bond later approved by voters in 2000.
CUSD promised taxpayer safeguards but didn’t tell the whole story and taxpayers where taken advantage of anyway
Oct 01, 1999 Filed in: CUSD
But nobody at CUSD explained how they planned to take Measure A monies from taxpayers in areas like Mission Viejo with substandard schools like Newhart Middle School and divert them to priviledged areas like Arroyo Vista in Rancho Santa Margarita where taxpayers were exempt from paying Measure A taxes. The Key Message Points flyer was prepared by CUSD to advocate support for Measure A, a $65 million school bond later approved by voters in 2000.
CUSD promised that “all” schools would reap the benefits of Measure A - they lied
Oct 01, 1999 Filed in: CUSD
Ask the parents at Newhart Middle School in Mission Viejo (where parents paid the Measure A bond taxes in hopes of renovating their school only to have the funds diverted to Arroyo Vista School in Rancho Santa Margarita where parents didn't pay) whether they think CUSD kept its promise. The Key Message Points flyer was prepared by CUSD to advocate support for Measure A, a $65 million school bond later approved by voters in 2000.
CUSD admits its schools are aging and deteriorating
Jul 19, 1999 Filed in: CUSD
The Fact Sheet flyer was prepared by CUSD to advocate support for Measure A, a $65 million school bond later approved by voters in 2000.
Despite promises of Measure A improvements, serious issues remained during Recall Campaign years later
Jul 19, 1999 Filed in: CUSD
The Fact Sheet flyer was prepared by CUSD to advocate support for Measure A, a $65 million school bond later approved by voters in 2000.
CUSD admitted schools face health, fire and safety issues during their Measure A bond campaign
Jul 19, 1999 Filed in: CUSD
The Fact Sheet flyer was prepared by CUSD to advocate support for Measure A, a $65 million school bond later approved by voters in 2000.
CUSD told taxpayers that comprehensive needs lists would govern spending at each school
Jul 19, 1999 Filed in: CUSD
The Fact Sheet flyer was prepared by CUSD to advocate support for Measure A, a $65 million school bond later approved by voters in 2000.
Mello-Roos taxpayers exempt from Measure A election and taxes, but trustees didn't restrict them from taking the benefits
Jan 19, 1999 Filed in: CUSD
The Fact Sheet flyer was prepared by CUSD to advocate support for Measure A, a $65 million school bond later approved by voters in 2000.
Trustees include "taxpayer safeguards" but none to address later abuses
Jan 19, 1999 Filed in: CUSD
The Fact Sheet flyer was prepared by CUSD to advocate support for Measure A, a $65 million school bond later approved by voters in 2000.
Lunch on the run at Capo Valley High
Sep 11, 1998 Filed in: OC
Register
The Orange County Register
"The feeding
frenzy began at 12:06 p.m. on Thursday at Capistrano
Valley High, where lunch lines were as long as those
at a Moscow money exchange."
The 2,900 students were left with just 30 minutes to eat lunch. This is the fastest-growing high school in Orange County's fastest-growing school district.
The 2,900 students were left with just 30 minutes to eat lunch. This is the fastest-growing high school in Orange County's fastest-growing school district.
All portables, no buildings
May 18, 1998 Filed in: Sharon,
Keith
Keith Sharon, The Orange County
Register "This week, the
Capistrano Unified School District agreed to put an
entire school of trailers [portables] in Coto de
Caza to relieve some of the overcrowding at Wagon
Wheel Elementary."
Sharon is a reporter for The Orange County Register
Sharon is a reporter for The Orange County Register
CUSD spent larger portion of state-mandated developer fees on portables than most districts
May 18, 1998 Filed in: Harmon,
Jill
Jill Harmon, School Wise Press: Learning
Bricks "This shouldn't happen.
I don't know that my children are ever going to see
the inside of a real school classroom."
Harmon is a PTA member in Capistrano Unified School District, where her two daughters attend classes held in portable classrooms. The district has spent a large portion of its state-mandated developer fees, usually used for school construction, for 673 portable classrooms.
Harmon is a PTA member in Capistrano Unified School District, where her two daughters attend classes held in portable classrooms. The district has spent a large portion of its state-mandated developer fees, usually used for school construction, for 673 portable classrooms.
Superintendent Fleming on portables
May 18, 1998 Filed in: Fleming,
James
Fleming is the Superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School District.
Superintendent Fleming blames partisan politics for district construction whoas; ignores district's own facilities planning failures
May 18, 1998 Filed in: Fleming,
James
The state legislature voted against putting a statewide bond measure for school construction on the June 1998 ballot. A bloc of Republicans thwarted the bill, which would have allocated $6.5 billion for primary and secondary school construction. Of course, Fleming offers no explanation why the Irvine and Saddleback school districts, with similar growth and demographics, were able to cope much better. Fleming is the Superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School District.
Grand Jury finds CUSD closed meeting violated Brown Act
Feb 01, 1991 Filed in: OC Grand
Jury
1990-1991 Orange County Grand Jury,
Examination of CUSD Mello-Roos Election
"A meeting
to discuss clandestine 'incentive pay' cannot be
reconciled with any of the above listed Code
sections [the Brown Act]. Neither can a decision to
employ a political consulting firm to assist in the
efforts to pass Measure A. Therefore, it is the
opinion of the Grand Jury that the closed door
meeting held on March 6, 1989, was highly improper."
Not only was the subject matter discussed found to be illegal express advocacy (i.e., incentive pay for school principals who succeeded in obtaining favorable voter results), the closed meeting at which this was discussed was found to be a violation of the Brown Act, as well.
Not only was the subject matter discussed found to be illegal express advocacy (i.e., incentive pay for school principals who succeeded in obtaining favorable voter results), the closed meeting at which this was discussed was found to be a violation of the Brown Act, as well.
Grand Jury condemns CUSD's attempts to cover up express advocacy under the guise of "informational" activity
Feb 01, 1991 Filed in: OC Grand
Jury
1990-1991 Orange County Grand Jury,
Examination of CUSD Mello-Roos
Election
“In the opinion of the Grand Jury, it would appear that the District is far from inexperienced in conducting political campaigns and, in fact, the District’s behavior in this case shows a carefully planned and often secretive effort to push the law to the limit. Moreover, the District did not willingly file its reports when notified of the obligation. It did so under protest. Finally, the fact that the District attempted to conceal its advocacy under the guise of “informational” activity, evidences a more sophisticated approach than just an innocent mistake.”
“In the opinion of the Grand Jury, it would appear that the District is far from inexperienced in conducting political campaigns and, in fact, the District’s behavior in this case shows a carefully planned and often secretive effort to push the law to the limit. Moreover, the District did not willingly file its reports when notified of the obligation. It did so under protest. Finally, the fact that the District attempted to conceal its advocacy under the guise of “informational” activity, evidences a more sophisticated approach than just an innocent mistake.”
CUSD failed to report political expenditures, CFPPC will consider this precedent in future violations
Jan 23, 1991 Filed in: McLean,
John
John G. McLean, Letter to Connie Ferris
Johnson, Deputy District Attorney
“While we
have decided not to take formal enforcement action,
we have advised the Districts of their obligations,
and have advised them that this matter will be
considered when evaluating future alleged violations
of the Act.”
On behalf of the California Fair Political Practices Commission, McLean concludes that Placentia Unified School District, Yorba Linda School District and CUSD violated the California law requiring disclosure of political expenditures. McLean is counsel for the Enforcement Division of the CFPPC.
On behalf of the California Fair Political Practices Commission, McLean concludes that Placentia Unified School District, Yorba Linda School District and CUSD violated the California law requiring disclosure of political expenditures. McLean is counsel for the Enforcement Division of the CFPPC.