CUSD Spin Cycle – Statement from Benecke
Staff editorial

Immediately following the resignation of Dennis Smith as CUSD superintendent, board president Sheila Benecke issued a response, which appears below. Smith’s letter (see copy in this week’s blog editorial) includes his reasons for leaving. He states his prior belief “that several legal controversies and leadership challenges facing the district had been resolved.” He adds, “However, there are indications that these problems may persist for well into the future.” Instead of addressing these remarks, Benecke’s focus is on a later statement from Smith, in which he writes, “Given the uncertainty and instability of the current situation, any efforts on my part to launch new initiatives and improvement strategies for the district could be overshadowed by protracted, high profile divisiveness in the community.”

Smith knew of CUSD residents’ division – those supporting the old regime of former superintendent James Fleming and those who supported the 2005 effort to recall all seven trustees. What Smith likely didn’t anticipate when he accepted the job was the May 24 indictments of Fleming and former administrator Susan McGill. Those promoting the recall had been painted by Fleming as a small group of dissatisfied parents. Such constituents, regardless of how much noise they made, were never described by the district as “high profile.” Such a phrase only makes sense in the context of lowly dissidents being bolstered by the May 24 indictments. District Attorney Tony Rackauckas, the D.A.’s prosecuting attorneys and the grand jury are high profile. Parents are not.

As a particularly disturbing aspect of Benecke’s letter, she seems to say all complaints should have ended with Smith’s arrival, regardless of an ongoing criminal investigation, which includes allegations against some of the current old-guard trustees.

Benecke’s statement predictably ends with an attempt to claim credit for hardworking teachers and student achievements. Of course, it’s all about the children. Anyone who thinks the trustees give a rip about the kids should take a tour of Newhart Middle School.

Statement from the School Board President Sheila Benecke:
The Board of Education was informed today that Dr. Dennis Smith has reconsidered his decision to accept the position as our new superintendent of schools. He was to have assumed that role effective July 1, 2007. In the transition, he has been assisting the district for the past two months on an interim basis. As Trustees, we respect his decision and wish him continued success as superintendent in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District.

As our new superintendent, Dr. Smith was asked to help the district recover from a protracted period of controversy and divisiveness. In accepting that challenge, he and the Board members believed that the contentious atmosphere in our district could be bridged with his leadership. We hoped that divisive elements in our community were prepared to focus on the future. We believed that this period of instability and uncertainty was behind us and that we could start the process of rebuilding confidence in the district. That was the optimistic context in which he accepted the position.

However, the divisive atmosphere appears to be far from resolved. In fact, controversy may hinder any efforts we make to initiate new programs and strategic initiatives during the coming years. We hired Dr. Smith to lead us into a new era. Sadly, there are factions in our community that refuse to let us emerge from the past to let that happen. As Trustees, we are confident that our school district will weather the current storms and emerge stronger and more focused than ever on student achievement.

We will continue to work with Dr. Smith on an interim basis as we renew our search for a new superintendent. It is incumbent on everyone in the Capistrano educational community to approach the next few months in a spirit of common purpose. Capistrano Unified has a well-deserved reputation for being one of the premier school districts in California. Our track record of excellence and tradition of community responsiveness should not be overshadowed by other agendas. The voices of a few should not diminish the beliefs of a majority of our residents that Capistrano Unified School District is on a sound educational path with a promising future. The daunting job of the superintendent cannot be done without full community support. We owe it to the citizens of our community and for the sake of our children to work in collaboration to accomplish this goal.