Fleming’s Last Hurrah
Letter to the editor

The Capo school board meeting on Sat., July 27, was called to outline a procedure to replace Supt. James Fleming, who resigned amid allegations of wrongdoing. I was surprised to see approximately 200 people at the meeting, most of them CUSD employees.

I learned the employees were required to attend as a show of support for their disgraced boss. Approximately 15 CUSD employees spoke favorably about Fleming during public comments. Their glowing remarks about a person who is facing serious accusations made me wonder if they ever read the newspapers. After public comments, the trustees started praising Fleming and lamenting his departure.

The trustees also implied the parents who initiated the recall effort are rabble-rousers and malcontents. It was a strange take, considering an ex-employee, not the parents, was Fleming’s undoing. I’m now hearing the District Attorney has no shortage of “stuff” that could lead to indictments. The initial complaints made by parents over declining facilities are giving way to much more serious allegations.

The parents who continue to challenge the CUSD administration are the true leaders in the community – the brightest and most courageous – and their effort has been heroic. The trustees and others who are still defending despicable behavior appear willing to go down with the ship.

Connie Lee
Mission Viejo