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Trustees depart from the script The Capistrano Unified School District board meetings I’ve attended seem contrived. Decisions appear to be made prior to meetings, and the unanimous votes and happy talk in front of the public seem unreal. The April 24 meeting was different when three trustees dared to criticize facilities. Trustees Sheila Henness, Sheila Benecke and Crystal Kochendorfer admitted in varying degrees the facilities at Newhart Middle School are a mess. Henness said the proposed repairs and upgrades are inadequate. Supt. James Fleming immediately glossed over the problems, but it was too late – the moment of truth was part of the record. It was no surprise when the trustees voted 7-0 to spend $12 million to repair and upgrade schools, including Hankey Elementary, Newhart Middle School and Capo High. Following the threat of a recall last year and with three trustees up for reelection, the pretense cannot continue there’s nothing wrong with facilities in Mission Viejo. Trustee Marlene Draper announced the district would gladly provide information for the Mission Viejo City Council’s request for an audit of tax dollars. She added, “Everything we’ve done has been done correctly.” Rather than accusing CUSD of crimes, I believe our residents want to know why an astronomical amount of our tax dollars are funding schools in Aliso Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita while our own rundown schools have been neglected. Connie Lee |
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