CUSD Update
Editorial staff

Those who attended the April 21 Capo district board meeting learned that the trustees would not discuss the issue of a high-pressure fuel pipeline buried near the new high school in San Juan Capistrano. A parent who spoke at the public microphone asked why the pipeline issue had been left off the agenda. No answers were provided.

A Mission Viejo resident who attended the meeting reported to the blog, “Supt. Carter’s attitude toward the parents wanting reform or even asking simple questions is uncooperative, and he displays the same condescending manner toward the reform trustees. Does he not believe voters will recall Trustees Draper and Benecke on June 24?”

The April 25 Capistrano Dispatch published the following news regarding the pipeline:

“Capistrano Unified School District has retained the Los Angeles law firm of Bergman and Dacey to investigate apparent errors in a report submitted to the state that allowed construction of San Juan Hills High School within 1,500 of a 16-inch, high-pressure gas line. Superintendent A. Woodrow Carter made the announcement Friday, about a week after athletic fields closest to the pipeline were closed. A parent noted the report says pipeline valves closest to the school could be turned off automatically in an emergency, when they are in fact manual.”

Those who follow CUSD developments should wonder whether the law firm’s investigation will result in spin, deflection of blame, glossing over of issues or litigation. Finding solutions and full disclosure are probably not goals, given CUSD’s history. It is worth restating that Trustee Marlene Draper’s daughter is an employee of the firm that was contracted to do the EIR.

Constituents might remember when the board in February offered Carter a contract as permanent superintendent. He said he would refuse the pay increase because of CUSD’s financial crisis. A CUSD parent discovered that Carter accepted the raise after publicly rejecting it. Perhaps he’s not so troubled after all about the financial crisis of others.

The Feb. 29 Capistrano Dispatch reported Carter’s earlier statement about the raise he was offered:

"Following news of an announced pay raise tied to his permanent role of superintendent of Capistrano Unified School District, A. Woodrow Carter announced that he will not sign a $324,950-a-year contract offered by the CUSD, opting instead to continue working under his current interim deal. ‘I’m troubled at this stage that I would accept compensation at the same time that I’m signing layoff notices,” he said. “This couldn’t have happened at a worse time.’ The district has taken public criticism since announcing last week the three-year deal to pay the superintendent $273,000 annually in base salary and an additional $40,950 in a retirement annuity and $11,000 for health benefits. His interim contract pays $245,000 in salary, $11,000 for health benefits and a $10,200 car stipend."

Last week, the parent said, “The contract he signed is exactly what he told the public he wouldn't sign. He is making $273,000 base plus a $40K annuity, car allowance and insurance, adding up to over $324K.”