CUSD Update
Editorial staff

On Dec. 10, the Capo school board changed Woodrow Carter’s status by dropping the word “interim” from his title. The vote to change his position to permanent superintendent was 7-0.

According to an article in the San Juan Capistrano Dispatch, Carter last September likened the school district to an aircraft carrier – slow to change direction. Some CUSD constituents have another reference in mind regarding ships, likening CUSD to the Titanic – already sinking when Carter jumped on board approximately three months ago. Despite Carter’s formation of subcommittees and other attempts at public relations, they say CUSD’s main direction is downward. An underlying leadership problem can be found in one of Carter’s “Carterisms” when he said his policy is to look ahead, not backwards.

Problems of the past – whether or not Carter chooses to look at them – are problems of the present. High-level administrative staffers (chosen by former Supt. James Fleming), district policies (designed by Fleming), fiscal irresponsibility (established by Fleming) and majority board members (hand-picked by Fleming) remain operational or in place. As part of Carter’s dilemma, he probably couldn’t dismiss high-level staffers even if he wanted to. Such changes would require approval by a majority of school board members. If the current effort by a community group to recall two holdover trustees doesn’t succeed, voters might have to wait until November 2008 to change the majority.
 

As a troubling sign that Carter either won’t or can’t address what’s wrong, he seemed at a November school board meeting to advocate spending $3 million on $an Juan Hill$ High $chool’s unfinished projects related to sports facilities. If he’s using former Supt. Fleming’s playbook – shell games and pitting one group of parents against another – should CUSD constituents expect positive change?

The school board – all seven members – and the superintendent should have been discussing how to cut expenditures to match anticipated financial reductions, particularly with the potential decline in state revenue for 2008. Other problems, including decreased funds from redevelopment agencies, are looming. One quick way to demonstrate responsible leadership is to stop talking about new toys, frills and nonessentials.

One CUSD parent reported seeing no signs that Carter’s aircraft carrier is turning around, but he might be having some success at public relations. She said that no group of parents – pro-reform or pro-leftovers – is completely pleased with Carter’s performance, which could be a sign he’s attempting to achieve balance.