Lawsuit Names CUSD
News brief

Dana Point resident Ron Lackey on Monday sued the Capistrano Unified School District for alleged violations of the state's public meetings law. In the
Orange County Superior Court lawsuit, Lackey contends trustees and district
officials illegally discussed several items in private – including how to
silence Lackey, who attends every district board meeting and frequently scolds
trustees for their spending.

Trustees have denied any violations. Although staff notes from a closed session show them discussing items apparently outside of what the law allows, district officials contend the discussion of Supt. James Fleming’s performance was related to the items, so they could be discussed in private.

An attorney who is an expert in the law called the staff notes an indication of the worst violation he'd seen in 25 years. Lackey, represented by Dana Point Councilman James Lacy, was also the target of a public presentation Fleming gave the board, outlining Lackey's past. The presentation was then posted on the district's Website.