April 2010 Δ
April 16, 2010 GREED & POWER POLITICS -- UNION MEMBERS VOTE TO STRIKE!
April 12, 2010 Interim Superintendent Mahler Saddened to Learn That Pro-Union Student Walk Out Is Based on Misperceptions and Misinformation
April 8, 2010 CUSD Reform Trustees Successfully Finalize Union Contract Terms That Protect Class Sizes and Teachers' Jobs. Reaction of Greedy Union Leaders...STRIKE!
April 2, 2010 Criminal Trial Continues Against Disgraced Former Administrators

READ the OC Register Story
April 1, 2010 Wall Street Journal: Some Bold Government Officials Taking On Powerful Unions To Protect Taxpayers
March 2010 Δ
March 31, 2010 REFORM BOARD VICTORY - Class Sizes Will NOT Be Increased and Every Teacher's Job Will Be Protected!
March 30, 2010 Greedy Union Leaders Respond to Reform Trustees' Contract Terms (that save every teacher's job and do NOT increase class sizes)...with a threat of a strike.
March 30, 2010 Reform Trustees To Impose New Union Contract Tomorrow – Class Sizes Will NOT be Increased & Every Teachers’ Job Will be Protected.
READ the Details and READ the OC Register Story
March 29, 2010 CUSD Confirms Teacher Total Compensation in Capistrano Is Among the Highest in Orange County -- Rumor That CUSD Teachers Have Not Received Raises Is False
READ the Details - CUSD Compared to Other OC Districts
READ the Details - CUSD Raises over 10 Years 32.5%
READ the Details - CUSD Raises over 15 Years 54.5%
March 29, 2010 Class Sizes: How Large Is Too Large? An Essay By The CUSD Recall Committee
March 19, 2010 Reform Trustees Save CUSD $5.5 Million Dollars -- Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Brought By CUSD's Disgraced Former Supt. Carter.
March 14, 2010 2nd Chances: Television Premiere of "Not as Good as You Think: The Myth of the Middle Class School"
Sunday, March 14th, 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 14th, 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 15th, 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 17th, 4:00 a.m.
Sunday, March 17th, 2:00 p.m.
Search under the title of the film or call your cable provider if you have difficulty finding the channel on your local cable system. Click Here for More Information
March 12, 2010 Shocker: Union's Candidate Kutnick Running For...OC GOP Central Committee
March 12, 2010 Television Premiere of "Not as Good as You Think: The Myth of the Middle Class School"
February 201 Δ
0February 25, 2010 CUSD Watch: OC Register Opposes Union-Backed Recall Effort The OC Register published a significant editorial yesterday opposing the union-backed recall campaign against Capistrano Unified Reform Trustees Lopez-Maddox and Winsten. This editorial is quite significant for a couple of reasons..." Click Here to Read the Story
February 24, 2010 CUSD's Lopez-Maddox & Winsten To Recall Proponents: "Promise Voters No $800,000 Special Election"

February 22, 2010 CRA Unanimously Opposes Union-Backed Recall of CUSD Trustees
February 16, 2010 Republican Party of Orange County Unanimously Opposes Union-Backed Recall of CUSD Trustees

Click Here to Read the Story
December 200 Δ
9December 3, 2009 CUSD Recall Committee Featured at U.S. Capitol Film Debut
May 200 Δ
9May 20, 2009 Blockbuster Documentary Film Shines National Spotlight on CUSD Reform Movement
Tonight, the Southern California premiere of "Not As Good As You Think: The Myth of the Middle Class School" will take place at a private screening at the beautiful St. Regis Hotel in Dana Point. The gala event is sold out and follows other screenings in San Francisco, New York and Washington, DC.
This groundbreaking documentary shatters the myth that "good" schools located in "nice" neighborhoods are shielded from the education crisis that pervades schools in poor, urban areas. Using compelling data on school performance and interviews with parents, students, principals and school reformers, “Not as Good as You Think” confirms every parent's silent fear: that their financial sacrifice and investment in an expensive home located in what they believe to be a "good" school district, may actually turn out to be an investment in an underperforming or even corrupt public school system.
“Not as Good as You Think” is a bold documentary by accomplished film maker Nick Tucker, and is based upon the revealing book by the same name written by Lance Isumi, J.D., Vicki E. Murray, Ph.D and Rachel Chaney of the Pacific Research Institute. The CUSD Recall Committee’s successful five year campaign to bring badly needed reform to the Capistrano Unified School District is prominently featured in this movie -- as an example of just how badly broken the American public school system can be in one of the country’s most affluent areas…and how tremendous improvements and reforms can be achieved by dedicated, vigilant citizen action and oversight.
May 14, 2009 CUSD's Intolerant Anti-Religion Teacher, James Corbett, Exposed in Fox News Interviews with Student Chad Farnan!
May 1, 2009 CUSD's Anti-Religion Bigot Teacher Loses Court Battle; Found Guilty of Insulting Christians!
March 200 Δ
9March 27, 2009 URGENT UPDATE: Union Leaders Are Hurting Our Children.
March 24, 2009 District Administrators Propose Covering Massive Budget Deficit on the Backs of our Children, Families and Taxpayers...Again
March 20, 2009 Report Confirms Carter Was Insubordinate and Guilty of Numerous Illegal and Other Improper Acts

March 10, 2009 Trustees Fire Carter!
March 9, 2009 New OC Register Column: Public School System Doesn't Need More Money - Its "Bankrupt Culture" Needs Reform and Common Sense.
March 8, 2009 New Report Shows California Teachers Are Highest-Paid in the Nation...Yet the Teachers Union Wants Billions More.
March 3, 2009 New Report Confirms Woodrow Carter Engaged in Serious Misconduct While at CUSD.
January 200 Δ
9January 30, 2009 Trustee Bryson Confirms Board Had Valid, Well-Documented Causes To Remove Carter.
January 11, 2009 The truth about Woodrow Carter's past failures If all you heard were the impassioned gushing over Mr. Carter by employees and a few parents incited by union boss Vicki Soderberg, and their equally impassioned and vile attacks against our new trustees, you would think Carter should be beatified and the trustees condemned to the fiery pits of hell. Well, here are some facts and other points of view that Carter, Soderberg and their bully mob would prefer not discussed. CUSD Recall Blog
January 10, 2009 CUSD Board of Trustees releases public statement regarding Spt. Woodrow Carter. The board responds to questions regarding its decision to place Superintendent Woodrow Carter on administrative leave. CUSD Recall Blog
January 6, 2009 New trustees exercise leadership and take action to restore order in our broken school district. Comments on tonight's board decision to place Superintendent Woodrow Carter on administrative leave. CUSD Recall Blog
December 200 Δ
8December 25, 2008 Holiday fun with Woody, Marlene, Sheila, Mikey and the Stiffler ... nd Woody's right where we've come to appreciate him the most - smack dab in the middle of more Old Guard mischief-making!
Woody & the Old Guard Mischiefmakers in "Forest
Elves"
Woody & the Old Guard Mischiefmakers in "Charleston
Elves"
Woody & the Old Guard Mischiefmakers in "Hoedown
Eleves"
Woody & the Old Guard Mischiefmakers in "Disco
Elves"
December 19, 2008
Was Capo superintendent supposed to be fired? Whether he
was or not, he should be now.
December 9, 2008 CUSD trustees select officers for 2009 Swearing-in is capstone to multi-year effort to replace seven-member board. See article OC Register by Rashi Kesarwani.
December 9, 2008 Capistrano trustees approve cost-cutting budget Officials caution that further cuts will likely be necessary; plan will be formalized after governor releases budget in January. See article OC Register by Rashi Kesarwani.
December 8, 2008 State schools facing $1 billion-plus midyear cut Parents will be asked to step up to the plate with carefully-crafted fundraising strategies. See article OC Register by Scott Martindale.
December 8, 2008 Reform candidates sworn in, marking end of Fleming era Tonight, the last of the Fleming-era trustees were replaced as reform candidates Jack Brick, Ken Maddox, Sue Palazzo and Mike Winsten were sworn in as members of the CUSD board of trustees. All seven board seats are now held by candidates backed by the CUSD Recall Committee. The momentous event marks the end of the Fleming era and the beginning of a new era of reform at CUSD. Members of the CUSD Recall Committee were on hand to congratulate the new trustees and call upon them to fulfill the reform mandate of the voters who overwhelmingly spoke in landslide victories in three successive elections. Read and listen to speeches by Recall Committee leaders Michelle Russell, Jennifer Beall, Tom Russell and Tony Beall.
November 200 Δ
8November 4, 2008 REFORM SLATE WINS IN 4-WAY SWEEP! Tonight, reform candidates Jack Brick, Ken Maddox, Sue Palazzo and Mike Winsten won all four open seats on the CUSD Board of Trustees. This monumental victory marks the end of the corrupt Fleming-era in CUSD and ushers in a new era in which all seven Board seats are held by reform trustees. Capistrano Dispatch, OC Register, Trabuco Canyon News




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


The California
Taxpayer Protection Committee has distributed a mailer
asking voters to support the Reform Slate of Brick, Maddox,
Palazzo and Winsten, and exposes special interests behind
the union-backed, status quo slate. See CTPC mailer.
October 200 Δ
8October 31, 2008 Teachers expose union lies, rejecting union claims they represent views of all or most teachers
October 26, 2008 Reform Candidate Mike Winsten offers sensible solutions to improve transparency and restore public trust in CUSD

October 22, 2008 State Senator Dick Ackerman critical of state teachers union for spending $1.7 million of teachers' money on partisan, social issues unrelated to education, while state cuts squeeze teachers and schools
October 21, 2008 Teachers unions are spending big money on a liberal, non-educational social agenda and like-minded candidates who will decide what to teach your children, if elected
October 18, 2008 Mike Winsten explains key element of reform platform: "Spend our tax dollars equitably throughout CUSD."
October 17, 2008 Old Guard CUSD trustees disgraced again with "Darkness Award"  Tomorrow, the California First Amendment Coalition, a freedom of press group, will present its annual Darkness Award to three recipients, including the CUSD Board of Trustees, in recognition of "conduct that thwarts freedom of speech and the public's right to know." The award follows the release of a September 2nd OC District Attorney's report condemning the CUSD Old Guard trustees for their "disturbing disdain, if not outright contempt" for district residents. The same report praised the CUSD reform trustees for their commitment to end such disgraceful practices at CUSD. OC Register, CFAC Blog, CUSD Recall Blog
October 14, 2008 Teachers Union Running Massive, Illegal, Deceptive Campaign
October 6, 2008 IMPORTANT NOTICE TO VOTERS: Let's finish the job! On Nov 4, vote for the four reform candidates: BRICK, MADDOX, PALAZZO & WINSTEN Last June, South Orange County voters recalled two Fleming-era, old guard CUSD trustees by overwhelming, landslide margins, sending a clear mandate for reform at CUSD. Now, with your help, we finally can finish the job by electing a dedicated and qualified slate of reform candidates in the upcoming general election on November 4th. See the latest CUSD Recall Committee Email Update and Campaign Mailer
October 2, 2008 CUSD lawyer accused of running afoul of open-meeting laws School-law attorney brought into closed session meeting to assure compliance with Brown Act, accused of giving board wrong advice. The attorney was referred by other CUSD counsel. Another CUSD attorney present at the meeting also may have failed to advise the board. OC Register
September 200 Δ
8September 29-30, 2008 Two South County cities sue over Superintendent Carter's illegal plan to cut busing Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita sue to protect their residents from increased safety risks. OC Register [1] [2]
September 29, 2008 Teachers union president playing election season politics, alleges reform trustees broke open meeting law. Reform trustee Ellen Addonizio immediately denies allegations and rightfully attributes the union's unfounded allegations to election season acrimony. OC Register
September 22, 2008 Republicans rally behind CUSD reform slate candidates Brick, Maddox, Palazzo and Winsten score key endorsements for November election, including The California Republican Assembly, The Republican Party of Orange County and The Orange County Young Republicans. Press Release




Brick, Maddox, Palazzo and Winsten
September 20, 2008
San Juan Hills High School 'waste' of public funds,
complaint says
Parents allege
up to $10 million of public money was illegally spent
during the construction of San Juan Hills High
School. OC Register
September 18, 2008
CUSD Recall Committee releases new Reform Campaign
Flyer

See Flyer
September 18, 2008
Kutnick posts "clarification" to explain false endorsement
claim, but contradicts OC Superintendent
Habermehl
Last
week, candidate Erin Kutnick's website claimed she was
endorsed by OC Superintendent Bill Habermehl. Calls to
Habermehl's office and certain OC Department of Education
trustees confirmed Habermehl denied ever making such an
endorsement. Contradicting this, Kutnick's "clarification"
claims she received an endorsement from Habermehl via
email, followed by a phone call retracting it. If Kutnick
is telling the truth, of course he retracted it. He got
caught violating his own policy to support Kutnick, a union
candidate and rabid supporter of the corrupt Fleming-era
regime. Well thanks for flushing that one out for us, Erin.
After all, what else could we expect from a politician like
Habermehl who had nothing but praise for now-indicted,
former Spt. James Fleming even after his offices were
raided by DA investigators and the headlines were rife with
scandals implicating him. Kutnick would love Habermehl's
endorsement to set the stage for some more of that infamous
Fleming-era CUSD "collaboration" with the OC Department of
Education. But what if Habermehl's telling the truth? Guess
we'll never know for sure with all that
good-old-boy/good-old-girl stuff going on between them. But
thanks for the "clarification," Erin. It really
helps...well, sort of.
September 17, 2008
Lincoln Club endorses four reform
candidates
Today, the
Lincoln Club of Orange County endorsed the four reform
candidates for the CUSD Board of Trustees in the upcoming
November general election: Sue Palazzo, Ken Maddox, Jack
Brick and Mike Winsten. Red County
September 15, 2008
Anti-reform, Old Guard supporter and union boss pick Erin
Kutnick misrepresented endorsement by OC Spt. William
Habermehl
Today, the
Orange County Department of Education confirmed that OC
Spt. William Habermehl has not endorsed CUSD Trustee
candidate Erin Kutnick. Kutnick, an outspoken supporter of
the Old Guard Fleming regime, posted the endorsement on her
campaign website. The OC Department of Eduction
representative stated that Mr. Habermehl has a standing
policy against such endorsements and any such endorsement
was a "mistake." Some mistake. Kutnick now officially joins
the dubious ranks of Old Guard hustlers like former Trustee
John Casabianca who unsuccessfully tried a
similar sleazy move just before
he was overwhelmingly defeated by reform candidate Larry
Christensen in the November 2006 election.
See Red County The errant
Habermehl endorsement has since been removed from
Kutnick's website.
September 15, 2008
Orange County GOP endorses four reform
candidates
Today, the
Republican Party of Orange County endorsed Jack Brick and
Mike Winsten, two of the four reform candidates running for
seats on the CUSD Board of Trustees in the upcoming
November general election. The remaining two reform
candidates, incumbents Sue Palazzo and Ken Maddox, have
already received early endorsements by the Orange County
Republican Party.
September 9-12, 2008
Scathing D.A. report confirms continuing illegal acts at
CUSD Old Guard
Trustees and Superintendent Carter implicated;
recently-elected Reform Trustees praised for exposing the
ongoing corruption, all of which happened under Carter's
watch. LA Times,
OC
Register
[1]
[2],
Capo Dispatch,
Dana Point Times,
San Clemente Times,
CUSD Recall Committee press
release
September 8, 2008
Orange County Young Republicans endorse four reform
candidates
Today, the
Orange County Young Republicans endorsed four reform
candidates for the CUSD Board of Trustees in the upcoming
November general election: Sue Palazzo and Ken Maddox, for
re-election in Trustee Areas 2 and 5, and Jack Brick and
Mike Winsten, for election in Trustee Areas 1 and
3.
September 6, 2008
CRA Units endorse four reform candidates
Today, the
Ladera Ranch, Rancho Santa Margarita, Saddleback and South
Orange County Republican Assemblies endorsed four reform
candidates for the CUSD Board of Trustees in the upcoming
November general election: Sue Palazzo and Ken Maddox, for
re-election in Trustee Areas 2 and 5, and Jack Brick and
Mike Winsten, for election in Trustee Areas 1 and
3.
August 200 Δ
8August 28, 2008 Trustees approve previously delayed environmental report and risk analysis to cut bus routes Over objections of four South OC cities and allegations of environmental law violations by district, trustees approve environmental report permitting elimination of 44 bus routes, and despite independent evidence of risk and questionable actions by superintendent, trustees accept risk analysis that finds a high pressure jet fuel and gasoline pipeline nearby SJHHS, "safe." San Clemente Times
August 12, 2008 Trustees postpone decision to cut busing Approved plan would cut 44 bus routes, affecting 5,000 children Four South OC cities reject district finding of "no significant impact" to environment and traffic and condemn plan. Trustee Maddox proposes to include cities in process. OC Register
August 10, 2008 Four South OC cities condemn CUSD busing cuts, demand more study and aggressive solutions District claims loss of widespread bus service will have no significant impact on environment and traffic. OC Register
July 200 Δ
8July 23, 2008 City of Mission Viejo says CUSD busing cuts would significantly increase traffic City disagrees with district's conclusion of "no significant impact," objects to proposed reduction in bus service and asks for more analysis of potential impacts based on attendance boundaries, student population allocation, school facility maintenance and capital facility improvements. OC Register
July 22, 2008 Reform trustees reject analysis of jet fuel-gasoline pipeline near SJHHS Trustees also approve forensic audit of SJHHS construction costs and examination of district's third party contractors by school board subcommittee. OC Register
July 11, 2008 Trial for ex-Capistrano superintendent could be delayed again Prosecutors plan to subpoena more records in the case against James Fleming, The Orange County Register
July 10, 2008 New pipeline report radically underestimates potential fuel fuel spills at SJHHS Engineer has corrected report but still claims school is safe. Parent engineer who uncovered the issue, is skeptical. Reform trustees vow to get to the bottom of issues. D.A. puts district on notice and is closely watching. The Orange County Register
July 7, 2008 District Attorney commences criminal investigation against Superinten- dent Woodrow Carter and Trustee Mike Darnold A clause was added to A. Woodrow Carter's employment contract without school board approval; Carter denies wrongdoing, The Orange County Register; previous version of same article dated July 3, 2008
July 3, 2008 Maddox and Palazzo sworn in Dana Point Times
July 2, 2008 Capistrano trustees sworn in after recall The Capistrano Dispatch, San Clemente Times
July 1, 2008 New Capistrano trustees take office, select new board Trustees Mike Darnold and Duane Stiff, absent during session, are ousted as president and vice president, The Orange County Register
June 200 Δ
8CUSD RECALL WINS!
Voters hand Draper & Benecke humiliating election defeat & mandate for reform to Palazzo & Maddox.
See up-to-date news coverage:
June 29, 2008 Capistrano Schools Recall Successful; New Trustees in Office, Capistrano Dispatch
June 27, 2008 New Capo trustees pledge hard look at district affairs, The Ladera Post
June 27, 2008 New Capo trustees pledge hard look at district affairs, Rancho Santa Margarita News
June 27, 2008 Capistrano Unified Trustees Removed from Office, Capistrano Dispatch
June 27, 2008 RECALL IS FINAL - Daily News Blast, Capistrano Dispatch
June 27, 2008 CUSD Trustees Recalled, Capistrano Dispatch
June 26, 2008 CUSD Trustees Recalled, San Clemente Times
June 26, 2008 Capistrano Unified recall wins; Maddox, Palazzo in, Sun Post News
June 26, 2008 CUSD recall, Maddox and Palazzo win, Dana Point News
June 26, 2008 CUSD recall, Maddox and Palazzo win, Capistrano Valley News
June 26, 2008 OC Register Editorial: Extreme makeover, CUSD edition - Capo Unified school district parents do the right thing and recall obstacles to reform
June 25, 2008 Capistrano district braces for change after recall, OC Register
June 25, 2008 New Capo trustees pledge openness, hard look at district affairs, OC Register
June 25, 2008 Capistrano Unified school board members are recalled, LA Times
June 24, 2008 Recall Final: Benecke and Draper Removed from Capistrano Unified School Board, Capistrano Dispatch
June 24, 2008 More than 20,000 ballots already cast in CUSD recall, OC Register
June 24, 2008 Capistrano Unified recall wins, OC Register
June 23, 2008 Capistrano schools battle goes to voters, LA Times
The CUSD Recall Committee has endorsed Sue Palazzo and Ken Maddox, candidates for the CUSD Board of Trustees in the upcoming June 24th special recall election.
Sue Palazzo
Trustee Area 2
Ken Maddox
Trustee Area 5
"Help us finish the job!"
CUSD Recall News,
CUSD Recall Litigation
News,
Palazzo Website,
Maddox Website,
PM Reform
News,
PM Press Release,
Grounds for Recall
June 23, 2008
Front page news coverage of Tuesday's monumental special
recall election Read the media
coverage of the upcoming CUSD Recall special
election by the
OC Register,
LA Times,
San Clemente Times,
Trabuco Canyon News.


June 10, 2008 Oh no, not that again! "Good Things Happening at CUSD"? Superintendent Carter borrows one right out of the James Fleming playbook Contrary to years of "happy talk" from CUSD, a recent OC Register study revealed the performance of CUSD high schools to be below average across the board. But never a district to let facts challenge the incessant, self-laudatory praising of the old guard, Carter has announced he will do what his predecessors have done best since the darkest days under the leadership of now-indicted, former Superintendent James Fleming...he's going to SPIN!
June 6, 2008 ABC Reform Trustees urge voters to vote "YES" on CUSD Recall In a special guest column in the Trabuco Canyon News, reform trustees Ellen Addonizio, Anna Bryson and Larry Christensen urge voters to "Renew CUSD" by voting "YES" in the upcoming special recall election in June 24th. See ABC special guest column.
June 4, 2008 Old Guard trustees turn blind eye to superintendent's fraud, approve million dollar employment contract anyway ABC Reform Trustees leave Board meeting and refuse to participate in legal violations and cover-up. See stories and reader comments in the OC Register [1][2], Capistrano Dispatch [1][2], Dana Point Times [1][2] and San Clemente Times [1][2].
June 2, 2008 Law prohibits board approval of superintendent Carter's contract tonight Board cannot legally approve new three-year, million dollar superintendent's contract. See the CUSD Recall Committee's complaint letter to the CUSD Board and the secret illegal employment contract Superin- tendent Carter and Board President Mike Darnold are trying to hide.
May 200 Δ
8May 27, 2008 CUSD Recall Committee calls for repudiation of illegal secret superintendent's contract Committee also calls for public censure of superintendent and board president. See press release, complaint letter, illegal contract and OC Register cartoon.
May 19, 2008 OC Republican Party Endorses CUSD Recall Party also endorses reform candidates Sue Palazzo and Ken Maddox to replace Marlene Draper and Sheila Benecke in the June 24th Special Recall Election. See press release and other endorsements.
May 13, 2008 OC GOP Endorsements Committee recommends endorsement of recall Today, the OC GOP Endorsements Committee voted unanimously to recommend that the Republican Party of Orange County endorse the recall of Marlene Draper and Sheila Benecke in the upcoming June 24 special election. The recommendation will be considered by the OC Republican Central Committee on May 19th. The Central Committee previously condemned illegal acts by Benecke, Draper and their Fleming-era colleagues, Darnold and Stiff, in October 2007, when the 100-member body voted unanimously calling for their resignations from the CUSD Board. See OC GOP press release.
May 12, 2008 Carter misstates law in attempt to defend illegal golden parachute Spt. Carter told the press that a highly suspicious and poorly drafted termination clause "merely emphasizes" California law, entitling him to nearly $500,000 if he is "fired" for whatever reason. The law says no such thing, and while such a misrepresentation is bad enough on its face, it's especially egregious when this was done in secret while hundreds of teachers and other employees are being fired due to budget constraints. See OC Register article and speech delivered at May 12th CUSD board meeting by CUSD Recall Committee Spokesperson Tom Russell.
May 9, 2008 Secret, Illegal Superintendent's Contract Discovered Superintendent Carter and old guard trustee Mike Darnold executed and delivered secret agreement purporting to give controversial superintendent huge salary increase and golden parachute. Superintendent had previously, publicly rejected the contract offer. See illegal contract, news coverage and press release,
May 8, 2008 CRA Units endorse Recall Election, Sue Palazzo and Ken Maddox Tonight, the Ladera Ranch, Rancho Santa Margarita, Saddleback and South Orange County Republican Assemblies endorsed the June 24, 2008 special election to recall incumbent CUSD Trustees Sheila Benecke and Marlene Draper. They also endorsed Sue Palazzo for CUSD Trustee in Trustee Area 2 and Ken Maddox for CUSD Trustee in Trustee Area 5. Orange County CRA
May 6, 2008 Assemblyman Todd Spitzer calls on legislature to fund education Letter from Todd Spitzer explains how Republicans have committed to uphold funding of Proposition 98. See press release.
April 200 Δ
8Apr 28, 2008 Court strikes Draper's and Benecke's illegal campaign statements "in their entirety" An Orange County Superior Court has stricken “in their entirety” the 200-word candidate statements filed by recall targets Marlene Draper and Sheila Benecke, two trustees of the Capistrano Unified School District. A copy of the court order is attached hereto. The court’s action ensured Draper and Benecke’s illegal campaign statements will not be published in the sample ballots to be sent to all voters prior to the June 24 special election. See court documents, news coverage and press release.
Apr 25, 2008 CUSD Recall court hearing set for Monday A superior court judge will hear the lawsuit brought by members of the CUSD Recall Committee asking the court to strike numerous false, misleading and illegal statements contained in candidate statements filed by recall targets Marlene Draper and Sheila Benecke. The matter will be heard before Judge Steven L. Perk on Monday, April 28th, at 8:30 a.m., in Dept. C32 of the Orange County Superior Court.
Apr 21, 2008 Recall targets sued over illegal campaign statements CUSD Recall Committee members ask superior court to sanction Trustees Draper and Benecke for making numerous false, misleading and illegal statements in candidate statements filed with the OC Registrar in connection with the upcoming June 24th special recall election. See official complaint, press release and news coverage.
Apr 18, 2008 Gas pipeline near SJHHS may pose threat; Concerns cause district to close school field A local resident analyzes 2004 risk report regarding a 16" high-pressure gasoline and jet fuel pipeline inside minimum legal limits from SJHHS, and concludes information is flawed. District cover-up spin is already starting as district spokesperson Beverly De Nicola points to a prior "approval" by the California Department of Education, and overlooks primary responsibility of CUSD as the project's lead agency. See news coverage.
Apr 18, 2008 Recall candidates file campaign statements for June 24th special election The Capistrano Dispatch has published the official candidates' statements filed with the OC Registrar before the nomination period expired on April 10th.
Apr 1, 2008 Kids First? Hardly. Fleming-era trustees' misplaced priorities exposed...again! According to the California Association of Library Trustees and Commissioners, CUSD is ranked the "worst offender" among all OC school districts in failing to provide credentialed librarians. Helene Dykes, executive director of elementary education support at CUSD, confirmed that none of CUSD's schools have credentialed librarians. So it's "kids first" CUSD-style, again, with substandard library services, while administrators like Dykes, work in the district's cushy new $52 million administration building.
March 200 Δ
8Mar 27, 2008 Fleming-era trustees caught violating the Brown Act...again! The ABC trustees call for intervention by the OC District Attorney in this latest attempt by Fleming-era trustees Draper, Benecke, Darnold and Stiff to illegally conceal critical information from the public on a controversial project involving millions of taxpayer dollars. See ABC press release and articles from LA Times and OC Register.
Mar 25, 2008 CUSD board sets date for special recall election - June 24 The date was approved in 5-0 vote at the March 24 board meeting with Trustees Benecke and Draper (the recall targets) abstaining on the advice of district counsel. See Capistrano Dispatch, San Clemente Times and OC Register stories.
Mar 24, 2008 CUSD Recall Committee endorses Sue Palazzo and Ken Maddox Please see the attached press release announcing the endorsement by the CUSD Recall Committee of two reform candidates, Sue Palazzo and Ken Maddox, who will run for election to the CUSD Board of Trustees in a special recall election scheduled for June 24th.
Sue Palazzo, 2nd District, and
Ken Maddox, 5th District
Mar 15, 2008 The Wind of Discontent The Fleming legacy continues to vex the old guard trustees, as depicted by one clever cartoonist.
Mar 13, 2008 DA confirms old guard violated Brown Act...again; Benecke and Draper: same old dogs, same old tricks The OC District Attorney's Office advised Spt. Woodrow Carter that the old guard CUSD trustees violated the Brown Act again at their Dec 15 board meeting, and criticized the old guard for failing to take corrective action (following their Oct 2007 admissions of guilt and agreements not to violate the law further) by failing to hire legal counsel to advise them at board meetings to prevent future violations and rebuild public confidence. Benecke and Draper can't be recalled soon enough. See the Mar 13 letter from the DA to superintendent, the Feb 28 letter to the elected officials who reported the old guard's newest violation, the Jan 10 complaint letter filed by the elected officials, the DA's Oct 2007 investigative report and letter containing summary of findings on old guard Brown Act violations.
Mar 12, 2008 Old guard plans to fire 265 CUSD teachers More than 1,800 teacher cuts expected county-wide. [1][2].
Mar 10, 2008 Fireworks at CUSD HQ - Trustee Bryson exposes old guard corruption and incompetence Reacting to news that our recall has been certified, Trustees Marlene Draper and Mike Darnold lashed out at all voters, the press, the ABC reform trustees and the Recall Committee, proving once again that they remain in complete denial about the problems facing CUSD. Trustee Anna Bryson responded on behalf of the reform trustees and exposed the incompetence and corruption of the old guard. Read Capo Dispatch stories [1][2], including an audio recording of the speeches, and copies of the pathetic speeches by Darnold and Draper and the tremendous rebuttal by Bryson.
Mar 10, 2008 Fireworks at CUSD HQ - Trustee Bryson exposes old guard corruption and incompetence Reacting to news that our recall has been certified, Trustees Marlene Draper and Mike Darnold lashed out at all voters, the press, the ABC reform trustees and the Recall Committee, proving once again that they remain in complete denial about the problems facing CUSD. Trustee Anna Bryson responded on behalf of the reform trustees and exposed the incompetence and corruption of the old guard. Read Capo Dispatch story, including an audio recording of the speeches, and copies of the pathetic speeches by Darnold and Draper and the tremendous rebuttal by Bryson.
Mar 10, 2008 We did it! Registrar certifies enough petition signatures for special recall election! There is no longer any doubt. Sheila Benecke and Marlene Draper will face a recall election. CUSD Recall leaders: "We are one step closer!" See Recall Committee press release and story from Capo Dispatch, LA Times and OC Register.
Mar 7, 2008 Full Disclosure Network re-releases video series on CUSD corruption Special cable series will air evenings at 6:00PM on OC Cox Cable Channel 31: Parts 1-2, Mar 12 and 19; Parts 3-4, Mar 26 and Apr 2; Parts 5-6, Apr 9 and May 16. See press release.
February 200 Δ
8Feb 29, 2008 Carter yields to public outrage, rejects new contract...for now Carter won't sign, says it's "not the time." See Capo Dispatch and OC Register.
Feb 28, 2008 400 CUSD employees to be laid off including up to 250 teachers. See Capo Dispatch.
Feb 28, 2008 DA confirms Fleming-era trustees violated Brown Act again Even after the Fleming trustees admitted they repeatedly violated the state's open meeting law and agreed not to do so again to avoid civil prosecution, the DA now has confirmed that they have broken their promise and violated the Brown Act again. The DA's conclusion is contained in a Feb 28 letter responding to a Jan 10 complaint by various South OC elected officials. Previously, CUSD critics roundly criticized CUSD counsel Ron Wenkart for a flawed opinion rendered to give the Fleming trustees legal cover for the obvious violation. Now the DA confirms district critics were right and Wenkart was wrong...again. The old guard and their sleezy attorney still can't follow the letter or the spirit of the law. It's time for new trustees and competent, new district counsel. See DA's original findings and recommendations and investigative report.
Feb 27, 2008 Old Guard approves, and Carter accepts $60,000 raise as massive cuts and teacher layoffs announced Even in the face of massive budget cuts and teacher layoffs, the Fleming-era trustees approve, and Carter accepts and defends an 11.4% raise. See stories in Capo Dispatch, LA Times, Ladera Post, OC Register, Rancho Santa Margarita News, Saddleback Valley News.
Feb 25, 2008 Impact of budget cuts, 300 teachers could lose jobs Cuts to classrooms expected to be severe due to state cuts and years of CUSD deficit spending. Capo Dispatch, Capo Valley News, OC Register [1][2]
Feb 22, 2008 SJHHS principal "retires" abruptly, quitting midway through first year Principal Tony Ferruzzo has announced his retirement midway through his first year at SJHHS with virtually no notice. Ferruzzo was touted by former Spt. Fleming and other district officials as the greatest thing since sliced bread to justify paying him for two full years before the controversial $150 million+ high school even opened. This is similar to the recent, abrupt retirement of Elaine Hart, former Principal of the controversial Arroyo Vista K-8 school in RSM. And like Hart's resignation, something smells here, as well. See OC Register and Capo Dispatch stories and Ferruzzo resignation letter.
Feb 21, 2008 CUSD tries to spin away its part in pending budget crisis with "Wheel of Misfortune" After years of deficit budgets, dangerously low reserves and irresponsible spending by the Fleming trustees, CUSD has found a convenient scape goat in the current state budget crisis. Read how the district spins its financial woes as "misfortune," without mentioning the Fleming Trustees' pivotal role in creating CUSD's own financial crisis that will make the state crisis all the more severe for CUSD.
Feb 21, 2008 RSM town hall meeting "well-attended, informative and inter- active" The RSM Republican Assembly's Feb 19 town hall meeting at the RSM Bell Tower drew a crowd of approximately 65 people concerned about the impact of the pending state budget crisis on South Orange County. A panel of elected officials, including Assemblyman Todd Spitzer, RSM Mayor Neil Blais and the CUSD ABC Reform Trustees made presentations and took unscreened questions from the audience on topics ranging from the impact of State budget cuts on cities, public safety and public education (including the severe cutbacks planned at CUSD). See photos and coverage by OC Register, Orange Juice Blog and Trabuco Canyon News.
Feb 21, 2008 Fleming trustees illegally proceed with SJHHS stadium complex After failing to respond to allegations of Public Records Act, Competitive Bidding Law and further Brown Act violations, the Fleming trustees voted to proceed not only with the SJHHS stadium, but the other improperly noticed projects as well based on questionable legal advice from counsel who admitted he didn't know the answer to key legal question before voting 4-3 over the objections of the ABC Reform trustees. See stories in Capo Dispatch and OC Register.
Feb 15, 2008 Up to 300 CUSD teachers could lose jobs Following years of deficit spending by CUSD, millions already cut, and reserves at legal minimum, state budget crisis hits CUSD hard -- a whopping $28 million from next year's budget. See OC Register story.
Feb 14, 2008 CUSD announces massive budget cuts Read in the Capistrano Dispatch how the old guard party line is towed by district staff and union leaders who dutifully blame ALL of the district's financial woes on the governor while giving the Fleming trustees a complete pass despite their years of financial mismanagement and corruption that had already brought the district to its knees. See additional articles from the Dana Point Times and the San Clemente Times.
Feb 13, 2008 Town Hall Meeting will address local impact of California's budget crisis On Feb 19, a distinguished panel of elected officials will discuss and answer questions about the impact California's budget crisis will have on So Orange County. The panel will include: Todd Spitzer, Assemblyman, 71st Dist., Neil Blais, RSM Mayor, Tony Beall, RSM Councilmember, and ABC Reform Trustees Ellen Addonizio, Anna Bryson and Larry Christensen. See press release and OC Register articles [1] [2] [3].
Feb 13, 2008 CUSD parents file civil suit alleging civil rights violations Suit by nine CUSD parents and residents targets CUSD, Fleming, McGill and the OC Registrar for violating their constitutional rights in connection with the infamous CUSD enemies lists. See OC Register and Sun Post News stories. This is the second lawsuit filed by parents and residents stemming from the CUSD enemies lists. The first was filed by a separate group of parents and residents on January 8, 2008. That suit targets CUSD and certain school district officials, but does not name the OC Registrar of Voters.
Feb 13, 2008 Parents Advoca
te League Exe Δ
cutive Director describes district's double standard re Newhart See letter by Julie Collier, who expresses disappointment over the Fleming trustees' "do nothing" policies re Newhart, and exposes the unfair double standards that have made Newhart the unwanted stepchild of the district.Feb 12, 2008 MV reform advocates address CUSD Budget Workshop and Newhart overcrowding; meeting planned next week at Canyon Crest clubhouse See letter to parents by Sharon O'Brien, CUSD parent, MV resident and member of "SOS in CUSD." O'Brien's letter addresses CUSD's final budget workshop and an essay on overcrowding at Newhart by CUSD parent and PTA leader Barbara Casserly.
Feb 10, 2008 Recall Committee files third complaint re Old Guard Brown Act violations in less than a month Complaint cites violations of Brown Act, Public Records Act and competitive bidding laws in connection with proposed SJHHS projects on Feb 11 board agenda. Recall Committee demands Dec 10 vote authorizing project bids be rescinded and new proposals to authorize bids be postponed or rescinded until district complies with law. See complaint letter.
Feb 10, 2008 ABC Reform Trustees issue joint statement ABC Reform Trustees Ellen Addonizio, Anna Bryson and Larry Christensen have issued a joint statement calling for the old guard CUSD trustees to comply with Brown Act and transparency in the hiring of new district legal counsel at board's regular meeting tomorrow night. See press release.
Feb 8, 2008 Fleming/McGill criminal trial date set A trial date has been set for a felony case against retired CUSD Spt James Fleming and former Assistant Spt. Susan McGill. On Friday, OC Superior Court Judge Carla Singer set pre-trial motions for April 18 and a jury trial for April 28.
Feb 6, 2008 CUSD acknowledges another violation of Brown Act In response to formal complaints by the CUSD Recall Committee, district officials have admitted the CUSD Board violated the B
rown Act at Δ
their Dec 10 meeting. District officials are spinning the obvious violation as another "mistake" they intend to "correct and cure," while straining to avoid any admission of guilt. See OC Register story. The district attorney should take note of this latest violation, one of several since the Fleming-era trustees agreed last October not to violate the Act again to avoid civil prosecution after admitting years of systematic violations. Of course, the Fleming-era trustees denied any guilt at that time, as well.January 2008
Jan 28, 2008 66,000 Petitions to Recall Trustees Benecke and Draper Submitted to OC Registrar The CUSD Recall Committee conducted a press conference at noon today, and then submitted the petitions to the Registrar. "We know with certainty there are more than enough valid signatures in these boxes to certify this recall," said [Tony] Beall. See press releases by CUSD Recall Committee and Registrar of Voters and news coverage by Capistrano Dispatch [1] [2], OC Register, OC Blog - Red County and Total Buzz and OC Register columnist Frank Mickadeit.
Jan 27, 2008 CUSD Recall Committee To Submit Petitions To Registrar More than 66,000 recall petition signatures gathered; Press conference will take place just before final submission to Registrar. See press release.
Jan 25, 2008 Trustees Face Ultimatum: "Resign or Face Certain Recall" With 62,000 recall petition signatures in hand, Recall Committee leaders have given trustees Benecke and Draper until 12:00 PM today to resign or face certain recall. Read story by Capistrano Dispatch.
Jan 25, 2008 Capistrano Dispatch: Final Poll Results Should CUSD opponents continue the attempted recall against trustees Marlene Draper and Sheila Benecke?
Yes, they need to go ASAP......................80%
No, because it's a waste of money now.....7%
No, they're done in November, anyhow...12%
Jan 22, 2008 Recall Committee says, "We have the signatures." With more than 62,000 signatures in hand, and more being gathered, CUSD Recall Committee member Tony Beall explained at a press conference today that Trustees Benecke and Draper must resign by noon this coming Friday, or face certain recall. See recent coverage by Capistrano Dispatch, LA Times, OC Register [1] [2], Trabuco Canyon News and OC Weekly.
Jan 22, 2008 Old guard trustees prepare to violate the Brown Act again In an attempt to cover the Brown Act violations they committed at the November and December regular Board meetings, the Fleming-era trustees have done it again...this time, by failing to provide adequate notice for the January 23, 2008 Special Board Meeting. See the latest complaint letter sent to the district by the CUSD Recall Committee. See OC Register story.
Jan 21, 2008 Benecke admits gross incompetence. "As you know, I do not read my board packet..." Read old-guard Trustee Benecke's own words as she admits to former Superintendent James Fleming, "As you know, I do NOT read my packet. But by osmosis, this came to my attention." Osmosis? Even our kids are told to do their homework. But not Benecke. After all, what's the harm of a few uniformed decisions involving hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars and the quality of education for our kids? With incompetence like this, no wonder CUSD is a district in crisis. Benecke should apologize and resign in shame.
Jan 19, 2008 CUSD capitulates: old guard trustees violated Brown Act again In response to the complaint filed last week by the CUSD Recall Committee, the Fleming-era trustees have now capitulated and are planning to rescind the illegal votes taken with respect to the track and field, modular classrooms and aquatic center at San Juan Hills High School. See OC Register article and Item 1 of the agenda for the Board's special meeting scheduled for January 23.
Jan 19, 2008 Talega parents aim to fight district boundaries proposal Vista del Mar parents unhappy with district proposal to relieve overcrowding. Vista del Mar crowding worries Lobo parents, as well. See OC Register stories [1] [2].
Jan 18, 2008 CUSD Recall Committee to hold press conference; signed petitions to be displayed This coming Tuesday, January 22, the CUSD Recall Committee will hold a press conference for purposes detailing the grounds for recall, reviewing the recall process and making a final call for Trustees Benecke and Draper to resign. The press conference will commence at 12:00 noon at the entrance to the CUSD administration building.
Jan 18, 2008 CUSD capitulates: old guard trustees violated Brown Act again In response to the complaint filed last week by the CUSD Recall Committee, the Fleming-era trustees have now capitulated and are planning to rescind the illegal votes taken with respect to San juan Hills High School.
Jan 17, 2008 CUSD studies how to cut $28 million Dozens of principals and admin
istrators atte Δ
nded Tuesday night’s school board finance workshop to hear how an estimated $28 million (7 percent of the district's budget) might be cut. Already challenged by years of deficit spending and dangerously low reserves, the impact of recently announced state cutbacks could be devastating to the financially strapped district. Despite district rhetoric about "the children," past cuts have ended educational and career guidance programs, increased class sizes and severe cuts in supplies, janitorial services and other classroom needs. See Capistrano Dispatch and OC Register stories, and recent speeches by senior CUSD teachers Marianne Irwin (DHHS) and Bill Hoffman (CVHS) to see the terrible impact cuts already have had on the quality of education in CUSD.Jan 17, 2008 CUSD announces options for Vista del Mar boundaries On Monday, CUSD Spt. Woodrow Carter presented two options for Vista del Mar School boundaries, one that would keep all Talega students in the school and another that would move students
from severa Δ
l Talega neighborhoods to Lobo Elementary School, while other students are also moved to new campuses. See San Clemente Times story and Carter’s full recommendations.Jan 16, 2008 C4BR appeal rejected The justices of the 4th District Court of Appeals have ruled that the OC Registrar of Voters acted properly when he rejected recall petition signatures gathered in the 2005 CUSD Recall Campaign because voters didn't fill out their own addresses. Then recall leader, Kevin Murphy, claimed that the Registrar's office told him that signature gatherers could fill in the addresses and he so advised volunteers. The Registrar's office denies that it ever provided such advice. See coverage by OC Register, Capistrano Dispatch, the court's 11-page ruling and letter to C4BR counsel by CUSD Recall Committee.
Jan 15, 2008 Mean-spirited CUSD hijinks reveals old guard disdain for constituents If you took offense at being called “jackasses” and told to “slither” to the podium by Trustee Shelia Benecke, you haven’t heard anything yet. Jus
t read a Δ
poem by Bruce Henness, husband of former Trustee Shelia Henness, who takes mean-spirited contempt for CUSD constituents to new heights. The accompanying fax cover reveals that Shelia Henness agreed with her husband and couldn’t wait to share his disgusting “masterpiece” with then Spt. James Fleming, who praised the disgraceful poem as “Phenominal!” and Henness’ husband as “a talent.” For insight into the corrupt and hateful mindset of the CUSD old-guard that made the infamous CUSD enemies lists and other forms of retaliation possible, read the soon-to-be infamous Henness poem here.Jan 14, 2008 Fleming-era Trustees violate open meetings law again! Recall Committee calls for Trustees Benecke and Draper to resign. To avoid prosecution by the District Attorney, last October, the Fleming-era trustees (Benecke, Draper, Darnold and Stiff) formally admitted they had repeatedly violated the Brown Act for years and promised not to violate the law again. Astonishingly, after just two months, they broke their promise and violated the Brown Act again -- this time, excluding the public from the democratic process on matters involving the expenditure of millions of taxpayer dollars on highly controversial projects. See Recall Committee's complaint letter and related press release, and article by the OC Register.
Jan 14, 2008 It gets worse. CUSD revises budget, increasing projected cuts to $25-30 million! Read OC Register story.
Jan 11, 2008 More budget cuts at CUSD! After deficit spending for four of the last six years, and operating at a dangerously low 2.3% reserve, CUSD is getting ready to tighten it's belt once again...this time by $15 million, or 7% of the school district's budget. Despite CUSD rhetoric about looking out for "the children," cuts continue to made to the classrooms. With the ever-increasing financial strains of a bloated administration, boondoggles like the new administration building and looming state cuts, it looks like the kids and their parents are in for another round of the same.
Jan 10, 2008 "ABC Reform" Trustees call for Trustees Benecke and Draper to resign! In an unprecedented development, Trustees Ellen Addonizio, Anna Bryson and Larry Christensen issued a joint statement that reads, in part, "By the issuance of this public statement, we add our names to the long list of elected officials who have called for the immediate resignations of Trustees Sheila Benecke and Marlene Draper." Read the entire Joint Statement. See coverage by OC Register, Capistrano Dispatch, Trabuco Canyon News and OC Weekly.
Jan 8, 2008 Fleming and CUSD Officials Sued Over Illegal "Enemies Lists" and Sending "Moles" Into Private Homes District officially targeted CUSD Committee members and illegally accessed confidential records on multiple occasions. Action seeks to hold wrongdoers accountable to "send message" to future leaders. Plaintiffs pledge to return net proceeds to cash-strapped school district. Press Release end Blog.
Jan 8, 2008 ABC committee members resign over flawed boundary assessment process and district's failure to take responsibility "The whole process is flawed," said former Attendance Boundary Committee member and parent Ron Frantz, 50, of Mission Viejo, who resigned from the committee during last month's public hearing. "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." Read related OC Register story: Jan 6
Jan 8, 2008 Human Events columnist Lance Izumi weighs in on CUSD corruption Read Izumi's take on how even affluent school districts like CUSD have become corrupted and wasted millions to the detriment of the children. [1]
Jan 1, 2008 OC Register looks back on the key OC education (and other) stories in 2007 Here the annual retrospectives of the OC Register and its local weeklies. OCR [1][2][3][4], AVN [5], CVN [6], DPN [7], LNN [8], RSMN [9], SPN [10], SVN [11], TLP [12]
December 200 Δ
7Dec 27, 2007 OC Weekly reports on the enigmas that make CUSD stranger than fiction Read reporter Daffodil Altan's "The Real Portables of South County," year-end reflections on the surreal, alternate reality that defines CUSD...another reminder of the tragic "accomplishments" of the Fleming-era trustees and the corrupt mindset and denial needed by them to justify such colossal failures.
Dec 24, 2007 Fleming indictment ranked as one of OC's most notorious criminal cases Here is a list of the OC Register's top 20 OC criminal stories for 2007.
Dec 21, 2007 OC Weekly joins in the Holiday fun with "Holy Christmas! Embattled CUSD Trustees and Ex-Sup Join Santa!" Ho! Ho! Ho!
Dec 18, 2007 Holiday fun with the Flemster, Sheila and Marlene
Dec 17, 2007 More than 300 CVHS students gather in show of support for teacher accused in a federal lawsuit of criticizing Christianity and violating students’ rights. See coverage by the Capistrano Dispatch. [1] [2]
Dec 17, 2007 CUSD's 5th superintendent in a year drops the "interim" and goes "permanent" Read the OC Register's interview with Woodrow Carter, CUSD's newest "permanent" superintendent.
Dec 14, 2007 Capistrano Dispatch reports on Carter's first 100 days CUSD's new superintendent maneuvers through a minefield of financial and political controversies that continue to plague the district.
Dec 13, 2007 Student sues teacher and CUSD over religious remarks A CVHS honors student has filed a First Amendment lawsuit against CUSD and a CVHS history teacher alleged to have promoted hostility toward religion. The CVHS principal had no comment, except that history test passage rates are high. No, we're not making this up, that's what he actually said.
Dec 12, 2007 Carter no longer 'interim' superintendent In a closed session meeting last Monday, the CUSD board voted 7-0 to drop the word "interim" from Woodrow Carter's title and to set up a subcommittee to negotiate his permanent contract. Carter has served as interim superintendent for approximately 100 days.
Dec 11, 2007 Old guard snubs ABC's and voter mandate...again Last night, the Fleming-era trustees (Benecke, Draper, Darnold and Stiff) proved once more how out of touch they are with the reform mandate sent by their constituents in November 2006. They voted to elect Darnold, as President, Stiff as vice president, and Benecke as clerk in 4-3 votes, after defeating bids by Bryson to become president and then vice president in 3-4 votes. The contrast between the status quo senior trustees and the ABC reform trustees couldn't have been clearer.
Dec 11, 2007 Stiff does turnabout and joins other Fleming-era trustees on SJHHS projects At last month's board meeting, Stiff acknowledged serious facilities deficiencies throughout the district and the need to wait for the completion of the the pending district-wide facilities needs assessment before putting the SJHHS stadium proposal out for bid. But at last night's board meeting, with the needs assessment still not finished, Stiff joined Draper, Benecke and Darnold in a 4-3 vote to proceed with the stadium bid anyway, and added insult to injury by putting proposals for an aquatic center and portable classrooms at SJHHS out to bid, as well.
Dec 8, 2007 Fleming, McGill criminal trial delayed The criminal trial of former CUSD superintendent James Fleming and former CUSD associate superintendent Susan McGill, scheduled to begin on December 7, 2007, has been delayed for two months after a judge granted a motion by McGill's attorney to reconsider the evidence for McGill's perjury charge. The hearing on the perjury evidence has been set for February 8, 2007. Fleming has been charged with embezzlement by a public officer, use of school funds to urge support or defeat of a ballot measure or candidate, and conspiracy to commit acts injurious to the public. McGill has been charged with perjury and conspiracy to commit acts injurious to the public.
Dec 7, 2007 Attendance boundaries at issue again? Say it isn't so. "It's deja vu, all over again." Thanks to the incompetence of the planning geniuses at CUSD, parents are in an uproar over attendance boundary change proposals...again. About 200 parents crowded CUSD HQ Thursday night to protest two proposed revisions to school attendance boundaries that would force some children to attend elementary and middle schools up to five miles from their neighborhood campuses. At least with parent committees "responsible" for the proposals, the old-guard Fleming trustees and their trusty staff can do some of their traditional finger-pointing. Read the recent coverage of this controversial issue by The OC Register: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7].
Dec 7, 2007 SJHHS stadium...it's baaaaack! Just when you thought it was safe to expect some rare, but welcome financial responsibility from CUSD, some of those persistent Fleming-era trustees and staff members bring back the controversial SJHHS stadium proposal, eager to spend meager district resources before the long-awaited, district-wide facilities needs assessment and master plan are even finished. Fiscal responsibility? Facilities equity? They continue to prove that they don't have a clue what those terms mean, as they undertake to cherry pick expensive pet projects, making a mockery of the district's master plan, driving the district into deeper financial peril, and setting the stage to pit parent against parent, again, at next Monday night's Board meeting. Capistrano Dispatch stories: [1] [2]
November 200 Δ
7Nov 27, 2007 Arroyo Vista principal Elaine Hart "retires" abruptly The career of another loyal soldier of the corrupt Fleming regime just came to an abrupt end. The announcement came mid-term, without prior notice and with only a flimsy "to-pursue-other-opportunities" excuse, suggesting Hart actually "retired" to avoid imminent termination. She leaves a legacy of an over-built school, wasted millions and a bitterly divided community. In the face of overwhelming community opposition, Hart helped champion the ill-conceived Arroyo Vista school expansion in one of the most dishonest, partisan campaigns in CUSD history. Hart was notorious for playing favorites, covering up district wrongs and openly targeting district critics for retaliation. She helped Fleming co-opt a corrupt and politicized PTA that continues to misinform parents and obstruct true district reform. Hart's departure is an overdue, but welcome step in the right direction.
Nov 6, 2007 Stadium proposal by recall targets Benecke and Draper rejected At last Monday's board meeting, Trustee Duane Stiff foiled another Benecke and Draper turf war scheme by moving to table the item pending the outcome of an ongoing, district-wide facilities needs assessment. The ABC reform trustees joined Stiff in defeating Benecke, Draper and Darnold, passing the motion 4-3. For background on Benecke's and Draper's unethical tactics (taken right out of the James Fleming strategy book), read Another turf war brewing in CUSD. Read OC Register coverage and speech by Julie Collier, one of the many parents who plead for facilities equity that night.
Nov 1, 2007 Fleming-era trustees admit they held illegal secret meetings; Calls for resignations increase CUSD trustees confess to appease D.A., but refuse to apologize and point fingers to deny responsibility. See articles in The Capistrano Dispatch [1], the Trabuco Canyon News [1] [2] and The Orange County Register [1] [2].
October 200 Δ
7Oct 31, 2007 The Capistrano Dispatch "Reader Poll" results are in, and the community's message to the Fleming-era trustees is clear...RESIGN NOW! Poll results: an overwhelming 86% said the Fleming-era trustees should "resign now," only 8% said they should "wait until the Nov 2008 election" and an incredibly small 4% said they should "not resign."
Oct 29, 2007 OC Register joins chorus of elected officials, Republican Central Committee and reform advocates, and calls for Fleming-era trustees to resign See today's editorial by the OC Register.
Oct 23, 2007 Fleming-era trustees accept D.A. findings, admit to violating Brown Act to avoid civil prosecution, but fail to apologize or accept responsibility ABC's abstain on findings. See coverage by Capistrano Dispatch, OC Register and OC Weekly.
Oct 22, 2007 Capo board can still do the right thing by holding tonight's session in public See today's column by OC Register columnist Frank Mickadeit.
Oct 22, 2007 Take the Capistrano Dispatch "Reader Poll" Let the Fleming-era trustees know it's time for them to take responsibility for their actions, and resign NOW!
Oct 19, 2007 ABC Reform trustees issue a joint statement re D.A. report confirming systematic open meeting law violations by Fleming-era trustees Addonizio, Bryson and Christensen call for board to conduct the people's business openly and demand accountability from Fleming-era trustees Benecke, Draper, Darnold and Stiff. See Email Update and reports by Orange Punch and Total Buzz.
Oct 18, 2007 Reform volunteer calls on parents, taxpayers to demand equity in facilities spending Parents and taxpayers are asked to send emails and attend Nov 5th CUSD board meeting to request hold on spending at SJHHS and demand equity for neglected schools.
Oct 17, 2007 Another turf war brewing in CUSD Marlene Draper and CUSD staff are playing special interest politics again, and setting the stage for more community dissention. At issue: equity in facilities.
Oct 16, 2007 OC Republican Party demands CUSD trustees resign Resolution passed unanimously by 100 elected leaders asking Fleming-era trustees to resign after D.A. released findings of repeated Brown Act violations. See List of elected leaders who have called for resignations.
Oct 15, 2007 Veteran CUSD teachers critical of district's increasing class sizes Say that quality of educational experience is being jeopardized. See public comments by DHHS teacher Marianne Irwin and CVHS teacher Bill Hoffman.
Oct 14, 2007 Trustee Stiff admits the Fleming-era trustees knowingly violated the law! Stiff speaks out and rises above his corrupt Fleming-era colleagues. It's "case closed" for Benecke, Draper and Darnold. The evidence is in and it is time for them to resign.
Oct 14, 2007 OC Register senior editor reacts to DA report See today's column by Steven Greenhut, who says the new DA report about Capo Unified board's violations of the Brown Act reaffirms that reform advocates were right all along.
Oct 9, 2007 OC District Attorney investigative report confirms Fleming-era trustees repeatedly violated open meeting law DA demands a formal vote by the CUSD trustees admitting guilt to avoid prosecution. See related News stories.
Oct 9, 2007 OC Weekly reports that DA has caught CUSD in illegal secret meetings DA report finds Capistrano Unified held illegal closed meetings.
Oct 5, 2007 Superintendent Carter establishes Intra-District Committees to increase accountability and transparency, and build community trust.
Oct 5, 2007 Fleming, McGill pretrial hearing continued until December 7th New trial date will be set at that time.
Oct 5, 2007 Full Disclosure Network® Cable TV and Internet Series on CUSD Recall How Southern California Parents Won Back Their School District
Oct 4, 2007 OC Weekly investigates the ongoing campaign to reform CUSD Hard Knocks: Three years in the life of the Capistrano Unified School District, by Daffodil Altan
Oct 4, 2007 Hundreds Gather to support CUSD Recall Elected officials urge school district leaders to resign.
Oct 4, 2007 Mello-Roos audit confirms CUSD diverted millions $1.5 million from RSM spent on Capistrano administration building
Oct 3, 2007 Capistrano district building used Mello-Roos tax CUSD staff justifies diversion of funds, falsely claiming they were spent within the subject facilities district, and repeating district spin that Taj Mahal saves $500,000 per year.
Oct 3, 2007 SJC City Council rescinds 2005 resolution opposing recall of CUSD trustees SJC is now officially neutral, but a majority of council members openly criticized CUSD trustees and administration.
Oct 2, 2007 Parent leader calls for SJC City Council to rescind its opposition to recall Asks Council to withdraw a 2005 resolution that supported the CUSD trustees and opposed the campaign to recall them.
September 20 Δ
07Sep 28, 2007 Reform advocate identifies basic inequity of CUSD's misplaced priorities Parent volunteer cuts through CUSD spin to uncover district misspending of our tax dollars and the resulting negative impacts on our children.
Sep 15, 2007 Check out the Board Briefs for the Sep 10, 2007 CUSD Board meeting Change order increases cost of SJHHS to a whopping $154 million! (and still counting), more embarrassing "classic" comments by Marlene Draper, more 4/3 votes as ABC's dissent in the interest of reform, etc.
Sep 13, 2007 OC Weekly reports on San Juan Hills High - and cuts through the CUSD "happy talk" Travel with OC Weekly reporter Daffodil Altan as she takes a short, strange trip up the winding road to the brand-new, landfill-adjacent San Juan Hills High School - CUSD's $154 million (and counting) "Surreal Estate."
Sep 10, 2007 Welcome Interim Superintendent Carter Public comments delivered at the Sept 10th CUSD board meeting by Tom Russell, Spokesperson for the CUSD Recall Committee
August 20 Δ
07Aug 31, 2007 CUSD Superintendent's Weekly Update: Back to School First official message from CUSD's newest interim superintendent, Woodrow Carter
Aug 25, 2007 City Officials Join Call for School Trustees to Step Down Full Disclosure Network previews newest in series of investigative video news reports on CUSD culture of corruption
Aug 24, 2007 OC Weekly assesses recall chances "A lock. With Fleming already indicted, and a well-seasoned recall team ready for war."
Aug 23, 2007 CUSD Petitions Approved Trustees Sheila Benecke and Marlene Draper to Face Recall
Aug 18, 2007 Capistrano Unified hires interim leader Former military officer to take over in September
Aug 15, 2007 It's time to take back our school district. School board recall kick-off party
Aug 14, 2007 Capo Unified won't pay Legal fees of ex-superintendent James Fleming has been indicted for allegedly creating enemies lists to thwart a recall.
Aug 9, 2007 Final petition forms to recall Trustees Benecke and Draper submitted to OC Registrar
July 200 Δ
7Jul 23, 2007 New Outrage: Fleming Asking Taxpayers to Pay for His Criminal Defense!!!
• Fleming Asks Taxpayers to Fund His Criminal Defense.
• Calls for Accountability and Resignations of Fleming-Era Trustees Increase.
Jul 9, 2007 A plea to the honest employees of CUSD For the good of the district, please step forward, do the right thing.
Jul 2, 2007 "For these reasons, we now serve upon you official recall papers." Public comments addressed to CUSD trustees at the July 2, 2007 board meeting
June 200 Δ
7Jun 17, 2007 1990-1991 Grand Jury Report exposes the deep roots of, and players behind the CUSD culture of corruption It looks like Benecke, Draper and others at CUSD are up to their old tricks ... very old tricks.
July 20 Δ
06Jul 11, 2006 OC Register condemns enemies list at CUSD Editorial describes school district's monitoring of recall-supporting parents "Orwellian" and no small matter.
October 20 Δ
05Oct 9, 2005 OC Register condemns unethical express advocacy by CUSD principal Editorial describes anti-recall robo-call by DHHS Principal Carolyn Williams as sleazy and unethical, and another unprincipled CUSD circumvention of the law that is unbalanced and unfair to taxpayers.