ABC Reform Campaign

RSM Mayor Tony Beall expresses hopes for CUSD in 2007

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Tony Beall, Rancho Santa Margarita News “Over the past five years, the biggest challenges and controversies our city has been forced to deal with have come from inappropriate actions taken by leaders of the Capistrano Unified School District. I am pleased that with the departure of former Superintendent Fleming and the recent election of three new trustees to the school board, the stage has finally been set for real school district reform.”

Reform trustee promises to put kids first, accountability and transparency

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Larry Christensen, The Capistrano Dispatch “We will put the best interests of the children and the taxpayers above all other interests in each decision we make. We will ask tough questions, hold the CUSD administrative staff accountable for their actions, and work to create a transparent organization that is responsive to our community.” Christensen is one of the "ABC" reform slate candidates, who won a seat on the CUSD Board of Trustees in the November 2006 general election.

Reform trustee acknowledges November 2006 reform mandate

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Ellen Addonizio, The Capistrano Dispatch “This is a clear mandate for change." Addonizio is one of the "ABC" reform slate candidates, who won a seat on the CUSD Board of Trustees in the November 2006 general election.

Fleming trustees remain only because they weren't on the ballot

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Tom Russell, The Capistrano Dispatch “The only reason those four incumbents remain on the board is because they weren’t on the ballot. If they use their four-member majority to frustrate the voters’ demand for reform, I believe the voters will remove them from office as well.” Russell is the spokesperson for the CUSD Recall Committee. He made this statement after being asked whether the four incumbent Trustees posed an obstacle to achieving reform in the scandal-ridden school district.

Voters understood need for reform; Fleming trustees in denial

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Tom Russell, The Capistrano Dispatch “The CUSD incumbents have been in denial about the need for reform – they just didn’t get it – but the voters did.” Russell is the spokesperson for the CUSD Recall Committee. The ABC Reform Slate candidates ran with the financial backing, endorsement and volunteer support of the CUSD Recall Committee. The previous year, the CUSD Recall Committee gathered more than 177,000 signatures in an effort to recall all seven members of the CUSD Board of Trustees.

ABC slate ran on platform to reform CUSD corruption

Mike Winsten, Trabuco Canyon News “The ABC Reform Slate candidates ran on a reform platform, vowing to restore honesty, integrity and accountability to CUSD – a school district whose leaders are involved in a number of high-profile scandals and who are currently the subject of a criminal investigation being conducted by the Orange County District Attorney and Grand Jury.”

Voters give ABC slate reform mandate in 3-way landslide victory

Mike Winsten, Trabuco Canyon News “The three "ABC Reform Slate" candidates -- Ellen Addonizio, Anna Bryson and Larry Christensen -- won easy election victories over two incumbents and five other challengers to become the newest trustees of the Capistrano Unified School District ... All three reform candidates won by impressive 17% to 18% margins, clearly demonstrating the voters' dissatisfaction with the current leadership.”

Candidate LeBon self-destructs in hilarious, humiliating spectacle before GOP nominating committee

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Frank Mickadeit, The Orange County Register "Not that the Republicans’ process has been seamless or without drama punctuated by moments of wonderment and hilarity. Last week, for example, Capo schools candidate Kathleen LeBon stood before the very committee she wanted to OK her endorsement and questioned members’ integrity, leading to a protracted argument. Not only did she not get the nod, but the GOP specifically endorsed against her (one of only six such declarations it made.)” Mickadeit is a columnist for the Orange County Register.