CUSD Holds Town Hall Meeting
Editorial staff

Approximately 135 people attended CUSD’s Feb. 27 town hall meeting at Capo High School in Mission Viejo. Supt. Woodrow Carter spoke about the district’s woes, saying “we did not create” the financial crisis. When he began taking questions, a parent challenged the remark, pointing to CUSD’s deficit spending in five of the last six years.

Carter also said, “A year ago, the district was backstroking in money.” He should have said CUSD ended up in the red last year despite receiving an unprecedented amount of money from the state. Any implication the district was awash with cash should trigger questions on why schools like Newhart were neglected.

Carter’s presentation included his “wheel of misfortune” pie chart of budget cuts. He’s frequently promoting this phrase as if the shortfall were created by a stroke of bad luck. During remarks from the audience, a parent disagreed with Carter’s wheel scenario, saying his children would escape misfortune by attending a private school next year.

As for statewide cuts, Carter said other districts have similar problems. He said Saddleback Valley USD is facing “larger cuts proportionately.” Saddleback facilities, however, weren’t falling apart before the state’s problems became evident, and it hadn’t made comparable cuts the year before. Many factors should be considered when making comparisons, and those closely following CUSD say it is worse off than any nearby district.

Audience members presented far better ideas than they heard from the superintendent. Several people asked for a return to basics with emphasis on academics instead of extracurricular frills. The “Character” program received mention as an activity that could be eliminated. A contingent of bus drivers offered ideas to prevent cutting bus services. One driver said the district transports 8,500 students, and he suggested adjusting fees and redefining which students can ride the bus. He reminded everyone that reduced busing will result in more traffic problems for the entire community.

A parent suggested selling the new administration building as a cost-cutting measure. Carter responded, “We’re working on that,” but he added such a sale wouldn’t address the immediate shortfall. In a district with a bleak future, perhaps it’s just too unpleasant for the top administrator to think beyond the present. The parent said that the old administrative facilities are still being leased by the district, adding that administrators should make sacrifices on the same level as they’re inflicting on students.

An attendee said after the meeting, “Remarks from the parents rang true while the superintendent relied on spin. Carter ducked some questions he didn’t want to answer, saying it happened before his time. I noted one speaker in the audience who mentioned the b-word, a bond. The comment received no applause, but I believe the district will try and squeeze more money from taxpayers. I’m running out of patience for Carter, as he is defending the irresponsibility of the past and falling in with it. He still hasn’t figured out the old trustees will soon be gone.”

Another attendee said, “A few parents seem willing to debate each other over which programs should be cut. The district has thrived on getting parents to fight with each other. Let’s instead cut administrators and administrative support personnel to the bone. I am not here to debate what to take away from children.”