CUSD Update
Editorial staff

An activist who participated in the recall effort of 2005 informed the blog: “In case anyone is not already aware, some of the parents who were gathering signatures on the recall decided to file suit against CUSD because their names were on the ‘Enemies Lists.’ I decided to file a claim, and there are quite a few others filing. My attorney hasn’t been able to serve former Supt. Fleming with papers because no one knows where he is.”

Interested parties might look for Fleming on his next day in court, April 18. Former CUSD administrators Fleming and Susan McGill are facing felony charges for misuse of public and school funds. Depending on the outcome of the April 18 appearance, a jury trial could begin April 28.

Congratulations to parents who have been successful in getting the D.A. and other agencies to investigate and prosecute wrongdoing at CUSD. Some of the reform-minded constituents are the best and brightest who should be on the school board.

The Registrar of Voters has announced the names of those running in the June 24 recall election. Voters will have the opportunity to recall Trustee Marlene Draper as the Area 2 board member and Trustee Sheila Benecke in Area 5. In CUSD, a candidate must live within a specific geographic area to run for that seat. Sue Palazzo is the only challenger running against Draper in Area 2. Three challengers are running against Benecke in Area 5: Ken Maddox, Gary V. Miller and Makam Subbarao. A second challenger in Area 2 decided not to run after he said a group threatened him with a smear campaign if he entered the race.

The winners will serve the remaining four months prior to the General Election in November. Residents might be disappointed that so few challengers are willing to run for school board. Those who closely follow CUSD issues know the district is in the middle of a management, leadership and financial crisis. Since Fleming’s retirement, the district has tried four new (including interim) superintendents and three new trustees. The recall challengers as well as those who ran in 2006 are to be commended for their willingness to serve.

Numerous constituents are asking why well-known reform leaders aren’t candidates in the June 24 recall election. For example, Kevin Murphy initiated the 2005 recall effort, and Dr. Ron Lackey is a dedicated reform advocate. Neither Murphy nor Lackey lives in Area 2 or Area 5.

In the news regarding rallies for support of education, parents mobilized on April 10 to ask Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger not to go through with $4 billion in education cuts. A group of parents organized a protest at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano, moving on to El Adobe when officials cancelled the event at St. Margaret’s because of the protest. Schwarzenegger had been expected at both locations. More than 4,000 people attended the rally for education funding that was held last week at Mission Viejo High School.

Upcoming meetings at CUSD include a Facilities Subcommittee meeting on April 17, during which the controversial stadium construction project at the new high school in San Juan Capistrano will be discussed. The turmoil over whether or not the old-guard trustees are trying to build facilities on land the district doesn’t own is described on the agenda as a “lot line adjustment.” The CUSD board of trustees is meeting again on April 21 to consider more cuts.