According to information provided by Capistrano Unified School District and published in the OC Register on Sun., Nov. 13, cost of the district's new administration building could reach $52 million. With the building still in progress, construction cost has reached $34.4 million. A graphic in the Register shows the district took out a $24-million loan with projected interest of $17 million. The district recently added $11 million from its on-hand facilities funds, putting the estimated total at $52 million.

A rumor circulated about the district's alleged plan to lease out a substantial portion of the new building's space. The story may have been spawned by the district's putting a credit union banner on the building. Critics of the CUSD trustees said the banner was intended to confuse the public about the fact the district is building the entire project and taxpayers are paying for it (an article appeared in last week's blog). The credit union has signed a letter of intent to lease space, estimated at 3,000 sq. ft. of the 126,000-sq.-ft. building.

Those who attended the CUSD board meeting on Mon., Nov. 15, watched a lengthy series of awards and presentations praising board members and district administrators for completion of various projects throughout the district. From the amount and nature of the praise, one might think the trustees were defending themselves in a recall.