Breaking News

April 2010 Δ

April 16, 2010 GREED & POWER POLITICS -- UNION MEMBERS VOTE TO STRIKE!
Today, members of the powerful teachers union in CUSD voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. This occurred in the midst of the nation's greatest economic crisis when millions in the private sector have lost their jobs or had their pay slashed by more than 30%. READ the OC Register Story and READ Q&A re Union Strike -- What Parents Should Know

April 12, 2010 Interim Superintendent Mahler Saddened to Learn That Pro-Union Student Walk Out Is Based on Misperceptions and Misinformation
And contrary to union claims, Superintendent also confirms Reform Board's decision regarding CUEA negotiations substantially compromised its original pre-impasse proposal with fact finder's recommendation. READ Spt. Mahler's Letter to Parents


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

April 2, 2010 Criminal Trial Continues Against Disgraced Former Administrators
Today, Superior Court Judge William Froeberg said former Assistant Superintendent Susan McGill, 66, still must face a jury on the charge she lied under oath about her involvement in the criminal misconduct relating to the creation and use of political "enemies lists," which prosecutors say was orchestrated by ex-Superintendent James Fleming.
READ the OC Register Story

April 1, 2010 Wall Street Journal: Some Bold Government Officials Taking On Powerful Unions To Protect Taxpayers
At the heart of this fight is an unbalanced equation: The economy is shrinking the tax income for every government agency - while pension and healthcare costs for union employees continue to soar to unsustainable levels. Some government agencies are diverting money from services to cover benefits, or raising taxes and fees. That doesn't sit well with most taxpayers - many frustrated at seeing their own benefits being cut by private-sector employers…So a few bold government leaders are seeking cuts in union benefits long considered sacrosanct. READ the Wall Street Journal Story

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March 31, 2010 REFORM BOARD VICTORY - Class Sizes Will NOT Be Increased and Every Teacher's Job Will Be Protected!
Today, the CUSD Reform Trustees approved new union contract terms - rejecting the proposal supported by selfish union leaders that would have resulted in further increased class sizes for students and the dismissal of hundreds of teachers. Kudos to the Reform Board Members - This is a tremendous victory for the people of South Orange County. It is sad and ironic the only organization that isn't applauding the Board for saving every teacher's job...is their own union. READ the OC Register Story

March 30, 2010 Greedy Union Leaders Respond to Reform Trustees' Contract Terms (that save every teacher's job and do NOT increase class sizes)...with a threat of a strike.  Today, Union Boss Vicki Soderberg told the Orange County Register that in response to the contract terms to be approved by the Reform Trustees tomorrow -- a new contract that will save the job of every teacher and not increase class sizes -- the union will consider going on strike.  Shame on the selfish union leaders for trying to line the pockets of their most senior members at the expense of hundreds of younger teachers...and every student in our school district. READ the OC Register Story

March 30, 2010 Reform Trustees To Impose New Union Contract Tomorrow – Class Sizes Will NOT be Increased & Every Teachers’ Job Will be Protected.  Today, the CUSD Reform Trustees delivered this letter to the entire CUSD community to confirm that tomorrow, the Board will vote to approve a new union contract – a new contract that will reject the proposal supported by union leaders that would have resulted in further increased class sizes for students and the dismissal of hundreds of teachers.  Kudos to the Reform Board Members -- This is a tremendous victory for the people of South Orange County.
READ the Details 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  CUSD has confirmed teacher total compensation in Capistrano is among the highest compared to other unified school districts in Orange County. CUSD's contribution to employee health benefits ranks near the top among Orange County unified school districts and a teacher’s career earnings are much higher in Capistrano Unified, as well. Based on settlement amounts documented in CUSD/CUEA contracts over 9 of the past 10 years, CUSD teachers received aggregate raises of 32.5%; based on a certified salary history of CUSD teachers for the past 15 years, CUSD teachers received aggregate raises of 54.5% -- and these increases do not even include other increases in compensation such as benefits, step and column raises (3%-3.5% per year) or stipends for extra duty.
READ the Details - CUSD Compared to Other OC Districts
READ the Details - CUSD Raises over 10 Years 32.5%
READ the Details - CUSD Raises over 15 Years 54.5%

March 29, 2010 Class Sizes: How Large Is Too Large? An Essay By The CUSD Recall Committee   Even though class sizes in CUSD have been increased four times since 1999, union leaders are threatening to strike if the Reform Board members do not further increase class sizes (which would result in the firing of hundreds of younger teachers) in order to pay more money to the union’s most senior members.  The line in the sand has been drawn and you MUST decide which side you will stand on. Your kids, our kids, want you to stand on their side. The choice is yours…  We urge parents and the Reform Board members to reject the selfish demands of the union leaders and protect the students, teachers and taxpayers of CUSD. READ the details

March 19, 2010 Reform Trustees Save CUSD $5.5 Million Dollars -- Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Brought By CUSD's Disgraced Former Supt. Carter.   The $5.5 Million dollar lawsuit brought against CUSD by disgraced former supt. Woodrow Carter was dismissed today.  Kudos to the new CUSD reform trustees for firing this greedy educrat -- he was a corrupt individual and deserved to be fired for cause after he was caught red handed trying to insert a $500,000 golden parachute clause into his own employment contract and committing other illegal acts detailed in the written termination report. Read more... Also read OC Register Article and Carter's Termination Report

March 14, 2010 2nd Chances: Television Premiere of "Not as Good as You Think: The Myth of the Middle Class School"  If you missed Friday night's television premiere of "Not As Good As You Think: The Myth of the Middle Class School, you're in luck. Five additional show times have been added, including two today! With 50% of our state budget spent on education, this is an important film for everyone to watch. On the "OC Channel" - PBS Orange County (Channel 810 on Cox Cable), set your DVRs and note the following show times:

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

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

March 12, 2010 Shocker: Union's Candidate Kutnick Running For...OC GOP Central Committee  "According to the OC Registrar of voters website, Erin Kutnick - the darling of the teachers union in Capistrano Unified - is running for...the OC Republican Party Central Committee (73rd Assembly District)! Yep. (Please continue reading after finishing laughing)..." Click Here to Read the Story

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

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

February 24, 2010 CUSD's Lopez-Maddox & Winsten To Recall Proponents: "Promise Voters No $800,000 Special Election"  Lopez-Maddox & Winsten have challenged the recall leaders to unconditionally promise voters they will abandon their recall campaign if they are unable to successfully gather and submit tot he Registrar of Voters all of the required petition signatures in time to qualify for the November 2010 general election. Click Here to Read the Story

February 22, 2010 CRA Unanimously Opposes Union-Backed Recall of CUSD Trustees California Republican Assembly leaders urge all voters not to sign recall petitions. Click Here to Read the Story


February 16, 2010 Republican Party of Orange County Unanimously Opposes Union-Backed Recall of CUSD Trustees County party urges all voters not to sign recall petitions.
Click Here to Read the Story

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December 3, 2009 CUSD Recall Committee Featured at U.S. Capitol Film Debut U.S. House of Representatives Republican Leader John Boehner and Representative John Kline, Senior Republican of the House Education and Labor Committee, will present today the U.S Capitol debut of "Not As Good As You Think -- The Myth of the Middle Class School" featuring the accomplishments of the CUSD Recall Committee. See OC Register News Story, See the Official Invitation and Watch the Trailer in HD

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May 20, 2009 Blockbuster Documentary Film Shines National Spotlight on CUSD Reform Movement  Click here to watch video trailer.

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

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

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

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




May 1, 2009 CUSD's Anti-Religion Bigot Teacher Loses Court Battle; Found Guilty of Insulting Christians!  Court finds that teacher James Corbett violated his student's First Amendment rights. See OC Register article and Court Order in which the court finds against Corbett at pages 15, 18, 21 and 29.

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March 27, 2009 URGENT UPDATE: Union Leaders Are Hurting Our Children.  The CUSD board is facing a crisis. They must cut $25 million from the district’s 2009/2010 budget. Still, they want to save every teacher’s job and preserve the smallest class sizes possible. But since 85% of the district’s $550 million budget is paid in salaries, this can only be accomplished if the unions cooperate. Sadly, the unions are refusing to even consider a modest across-the-board cut to save every teacher’s job and preserve the smallest class sizes possible for our students. Click here for details.

March 24, 2009 District Administrators Propose Covering Massive Budget Deficit on the Backs of our Children, Families and Taxpayers...Again  Facing budget cuts of $25 million for 2009/2010, CUSD administrators are proposing further cuts to educational programs and increases in class sizes - bad news for children, their families and taxpayers. The elephant in the room? 85% of the district's $550 million budget is allocated to salaries, a factor conspicuously missing in the budget discussions. With the economy flagging and thousands loosing their jobs, highly paid CUSD administrators (check it out here) and union leaders are rejecting modest, across-the-board pay cuts -- a sensible solution supported by reform trustees that could preserve desperately needed education programs, smaller class sizes and protect overburdened taxpayers. Instead, administrators are proposing another assault on the remaining 15% of the budget, which is precious little to cover current classroom needs already cut to the bone. Apparently, this is fine with administrators, union leaders and tax-hike advocates who continue to ignore the "85%" elephant in the room that is crushing the educational needs of the children to death. See the OC Register story.

March 20, 2009 Report Confirms Carter Was Insubordinate and Guilty of Numerous Illegal and Other Improper Acts The Capistrano Unified board has released a 54-page report (400 pages with exhibits) setting forth dozens of charges and evidence against former Superintendent Woodrow Carter. The scathing report describes the fired superintendent as an insubordinate, scheming administrator who engaged in numerous improper and illegal acts. The report reveals a corrupt side of Carter completely at odds with the image he has projected to his supporters at CUSD. The report concludes, "[W]hile Carter purports to 'love' the district and care for its students and the community, his apparent certainty that he would receive a 'nice buy-out' and 'an extended golfing vacation' at district expense is insulting and offensive to every member of that community." See OC Register story, official CUSD news release and official report on the board's decision on termination of Carter's employment.

March 10, 2009 Trustees Fire Carter!  Capistrano Unified Superintendent A. Woodrow Carter was fired Monday for "material breach of contract." For two months, Carter had been on paid administrative leave pending investigation of more than 60 charges involving his performance as superintendent. Although Carter claims to have addressed and refuted every allegation, the vote to terminate him for cause was unanimous. The board asked district counsel to prepare a statement consistent with its decision for later publication. See OC Register story.

March 9, 2009 New OC Register Column: Public School System Doesn't Need More Money - Its "Bankrupt Culture" Needs Reform and Common Sense.  Syndicated columnist Star Parker reveals the fallacy of the increased per-pupil spending "solution" offered by most public educators and teachers unions, exposing it for what it is – an excuse that prevents long-needed reforms and dooms our children to a culturally corrupt, monopolistic system that favors special interests and ignores common sense. Click here to read Ms. Star's column. See CUSD Recall Blog.

March 8, 2009  New Report Shows California Teachers Are Highest-Paid in the Nation...Yet the Teachers Union Wants Billions More. Even with average teacher salaries higher than all 49 other states (25% above the national average), California's pubic schools still perform on average near the bottom (49th nationally). The CTA's low per-pupil spending argument is a flimsy excuse based on an arcane formula and ignores the negative impact higher teacher salaries have on classrooms. The CTA's "solution"? Ignore the state's greatest-ever budget crisis and ask already-overtaxed and increasingly-unemployed voters to approve ballot measure 1B on the May 19 ballot to drain $9.3 billion more out of taxpayers' pockets to pour into teachers' wallets. Now that's chutzpah!  Click here to read the OC Register editorial.

March 3, 2009  New Report Confirms Woodrow Carter Engaged in Serious Misconduct While at CUSD.    Investigative Reporter Daffodil Alton at the OC Weekly has published a blockbuster new report  detailing numerous instances of serious misconduct committed by Woodrow Carter while he was acting as CUSD Superintendent. The report confirms that at the same time Carter was telling the families of CUSD that he didn't know how he would fund our students' classrooms, he accepted gifts from, and was wined and dined at lavish resorts by, consultants seeking lucrative contracts with CUSD, that Carter successfully funneled lucrative school district contracts to those same consultants, that Carter failed to inform the School Board about the gifts he had received from these consultants, that Carter failed to disclose the gifts on the public disclosure forms in violation of the law, and that Carter submitted improper "double-dipping" expense reports to CUSD seeking reimbursement for expenses that had already been paid for by the consultants.  Click here to read the incredible story. See CUSD Recall Blog.

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January 30, 2009 Trustee Bryson Confirms Board Had Valid, Well-Documented Causes To Remove Carter.  The Orange County Register confirms that Trustee Anna Bryson (the lone dissenter on the school board's 6-1 vote to put Carter on administrative leave) agrees with the rest of the Board there were multiple, valid, well-documented examples of Carter’s poor job performance to justify the immediate removal of Carter for cause.  Although Trustee Bryson may have disagreed with her colleagues as to whether the initial timing was right to remove Carter (due to the looming budget crisis she didn’t want CUSD to be a “rudderless ship”), from a substantive standpointTrustee Bryson has now confirmed she agrees with the rest of the CUSD Board of Trustees that there were more than enough reasons to remove Carter from his position. Read Bryson's quote on the CUSD Recall Blog

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

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

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.

  Spt. Woodrow Carter, was scheduled to undergo a performance review yesterday, but now faces an uphill battle after he joined union boss Vicki Soderberg in a dishonest and disgraceful preemptive strike against the new board by attacking them, playing the victim card and inciting possibly the worst example of mob behavior in CUSD history. The special board meeting had been noticed as a "performance evaluation" for Carter with possible disciplinary action or termination of an unidentified "public employee." No allegations or charges were disclosed and no action was taken. Carter delivered a speech before the trustees went into closed session. The speech obviously was written in large part by Carter's labor counsel and was designed to intimidate and influence the new board's decisions by inciting confusion over the facts and the process, undeserved sympathy for Carter and groundless, hysterical outrage against the new board - all coordinated with the support of an unruly mob rallied by union boss Vicki Soderberg. Carter and Soderberg had been waging a political campaign of defamation against the new board members for months after Carter had become exposed after being implicated (even by the OC district attorney) in numerous wrongful acts. Ironically, whether the board previously had grounds to discipline or fire Carter or not, his defamatory remarks and disgraceful legal posturing and other offensive conduct yesterday certainly have given the board grounds to discipline of fire him for cause, now. Carter and Soderberg have declared war on the board, openly sewing the seeds of dissension among the rank-and-file. Carter has revealed himself to be insubordinate and an open threat to the integrity of the board as an institution. As such, Carter is unfit to serve as superintendent of CUSD, and the sooner he is terminated the better. See OC Register article by Scott Martindale and copy of Carter's speech, CUSD Recall Blog.

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.

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

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October 31, 2008 Teachers expose union lies, rejecting union claims they represent views of all or most teachers  The OC Register reports, “The Prop. 8 flap isn't the only issue that has local teachers concerned about accurate representation by their unions. In the Capistrano Unified School District, the teachers union has thrown at least $73,400 into a hotly contested Nov. 4 school board race. The concern is that at least 5 percent of the district's 2,400 members, by the union's own admission, are backing an opposing slate of candidates.” The local CUSD teachers union, the CUEA, first claimed ALL 2,400 CUSD teachers supported their status quo slate of candidates. When this patent lie was exposed, the union backed off, claiming 2,300 did, and conceding that AT LEAST 5% (115) supported the reform slate. The truth is, only 100 of the 2,400 CUSD teachers voted on the matter, which is LESS THAN the 5% they conceded! Now the sleazy teachers union, that doesn't even respect its own members, would have you believe the social agendas of their benefactor, the CTA, and their socially liberal status quo slate of candidates won’t eventually limit parent choice by imposing their social “values” on your kids in the classrooms. Sure they won't. See OC Register article

October 26, 2008 Reform Candidate Mike Winsten offers sensible solutions to improve transparency and restore public trust in CUSD Winsten addresses parent concerns over the lack of transparency at CUSD and proposes solutions for the benefit of parents and taxpayers. Winsten, an attorney and independent businessman, is the reform candidate for CUSD Trustee Area 3, which covers most of San Clemente. See entire statement


October 22, 2008 State Senator Dick Ackerman critical of state teachers union for spending $1.7 million of teachers' money on partisan, social issues unrelated to education, while state cuts squeeze teachers and schools  Ackerman says, "CTA's choice to take money from teachers and use it to fund a campaign for a social issue unrelated to its mission is shameful. It is time for CTA to stop throwing money around and focus its attention on representing the priorities of its members." See OC Register column

October 21, 2008 Teachers unions are spending big money on a liberal, non-educational social agenda and like-minded candidates who will decide what to teach your children, if elected   The CUSD Recall Committee is deeply disturbed by the recent contribution of $1,000,000 to the No on 8 campaign by the California Teachers Association.  We are equally disturbed by the tremendous amounts of money being spent by the union in our local Capistrano Unified School District elections (the CUEA) in an effort to elect socially liberal and unqualified candidates. Schools may not be required to discuss these issues in classrooms, but have discretion to do so, and likely will if such liberal, union-backed candidates are elected. See OC Register article, "Will gay marriage be taught in public schools if Prop. 8 fails?"

October 18, 2008 Mike Winsten explains key element of reform platform: "Spend our tax dollars equitably throughout CUSD."
Winsten describes some of the priorities and policies needed to correct past and continuing inequities in funding and facilities in CUSD. "Please vote for me and I will help lead CUSD forward while making sure every school site is treated equally.  I will not quietly tolerate one school site being treated more equally than others due to shadow politics and favoritism. Thank you for taking the time to make an educated vote for our public schools." Winsten, an attorney and independent businessman, is the reform candidate for CUSD Trustee Area 3, which covers most of San Clemente. See entire statement

October 17, 2008 Old Guard CUSD trustees disgraced again with "Darkness Award"  Tomorrow, the California First Amendment Coalition, a freedom of press group, will present its annual Darkness Award to three recipients, including the CUSD Board of Trustees, in recognition of "conduct that thwarts freedom of speech and the public's right to know." The award follows the release of a September 2nd OC District Attorney's report condemning the CUSD Old Guard trustees for their "disturbing disdain, if not outright contempt" for district residents. The same report praised the CUSD reform trustees for their commitment to end such disgraceful practices at CUSD. OC Register, CFAC Blog, CUSD Recall Blog

October 14, 2008 Teachers Union Running Massive, Illegal, Deceptive Campaign  Teachers union leadership and their candidates are illegally coordinating campaign efforts. The teachers union PAC is the largest special interest group involved in the CUSD local school board races -- and they are trying to buy the election using deceptive and illegal tactics. While thumbing their noses at the law, they have spent a whopping $72,797.49 so far! Press Release

October 6, 2008 IMPORTANT NOTICE TO VOTERS: Let's finish the job! On Nov 4, vote for the four reform candidates: BRICK, MADDOX, PALAZZO & WINSTEN Last June, South Orange County voters recalled two Fleming-era, old guard CUSD trustees by overwhelming, landslide margins, sending a clear mandate for reform at CUSD. Now, with your help, we finally can finish the job by electing a dedicated and qualified slate of reform candidates in the upcoming general election on November 4th. 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

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

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

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

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

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

The CUSD Recall Committee has endorsed Sue Palazzo and Ken Maddox, candidates for the CUSD Board of Trustees in the upcoming June 24th special recall election.  
Sue Palazzo
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 22, 2008 Important message to voters from candidates Sue Palazzo and Ken Maddox: "Please vote 'Yes' on CUSD Recall in the special election, June 24th" Email message sent to voters by Sue Palazzo, candidate for Trustee Area 2, and Ken Maddox, candidate for Trustee Area 5  June 20, 2008 Important notice to voters from Assemblymember Todd Spitzer: "Please vote 'Yes' on CUSD Recall - June 24th" Text of a robocall message by Todd Spitzer, Assemblymember, 71st Assembly District

 June 19, 2008 Important message to voters from ABC Reform Trustees: "Renew CUSD: Vote 'Yes' on the recall special election" Special guest column by CUSD Trustees Ellen Addonizio, Anna Bryson and Larry Christensen published in the June edition of the Trabuco Canyon News
 June 18, 2008 Important notice to voters from Tony Beall: "Vote 'Yes' on CUSD Recall - June 24th" Text of an email update by Tony Beall, RSM Councilmember and proud member of the CUSD Recall Committee

 June 16, 2008 Important notice to voters from Assemblymember Mimi Walters: "Please vote 'Yes' on CUSD Recall on June 24th" Text of a robocall message by Mimi Walters, Assemblymember, 73rd Assembly District


June 10, 2008 Oh no, not that again! "Good Things Happening at CUSD"? Superintendent Carter borrows one right out of the James Fleming playbook Contrary to years of "happy talk" from CUSD, a recent OC Register study revealed the performance of CUSD high schools to be below average across the board. But never a district to let facts challenge the incessant, self-laudatory praising of the old guard, Carter has announced he will do what his predecessors have done best since the darkest days under the leadership of now-indicted, former Superintendent James Fleming...he's going to SPIN!

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

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May 27, 2008 CUSD Recall Committee calls for repudiation of illegal secret superintendent's contract Committee also calls for public censure of superintendent and board president. 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

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Apr 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

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Mar 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

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Feb 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]

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Dec 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  Oh m'gosh! Former CUSD superintendent James Fleming and Trustees Sheila Benecke and Marlene Draper have been elfed! Jimbo may be indicted, and Sheila and Marlene may be the targets of a pending recall, but they haven't lost their holiday spirit...or their tricky moves. Join them for some hoppin' holiday fun. (Jan 2, 2008: Sorry, the elves are gone. But it was a good holiday romp while it lasted.)

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]

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Nov 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].

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Oct 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.

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Sep 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

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Aug 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

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Jul 23, 2007 New Outrage: Fleming Asking Taxpayers to Pay for His Criminal Defense!!!
• Fleming Asks Taxpayers to Fund His Criminal Defense.
• Calls for Accountability and Resignations of Fleming-Era Trustees Increase.

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

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Jun 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

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Jul 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

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Oct 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.

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