School Update

Parents and other Saddleback Valley constituents attended a district meeting last week to learn more about the district’s plans to close two elementary schools, O’Neill and La Tierra. Apart from the statewide budget crisis, the number of students in SVUSD has been declining for several years, impacting the amount of money, $5,530 per student, the district yearly receives. A committee addressing potential closures will continue to meet, but without public participation. Parents are questioning why they can’t attend the meetings.

A Mission Viejo resident reported to this blog that enrollment at private schools continues to increase despite declining financial markets, lack of homebuilding and rising unemployment.

The CUSD board of trustees will meet Dec. 8, beginning with the 6 p.m. oath of office for trustees elected on Nov. 4. Jack Brick and Mike Winsten are new trustees, and other winners were Ken Maddox and Sue Palazzo, who were first elected in June with the successful recall of Marlene Draper and Sheila Benecke. The open session will begin at 7 p.m.

Among Dec. 8 agenda items is reconsideration of restoring the trustee’s full $795 stipend, which Supt. Woodrow Carter is recommending. Trustees in February cut their stipend in half to save money for the nearly bankrupt district. It is unclear why the amount is being reconsidered. Other items include change orders at San Juan Hills High School and a discussion of performing arts theatres at Dana Hills High School and Capo High. Budget workshops have been held to find $12.5 million in cuts. The next budget report is due Dec. 15.

On last week’s blog, an update on legal action against CUSD should have included a distinction among plaintiffs. Members of the Lefner family didn't file suit against the district. Their actions are solely against the county and Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley. Two lawsuits against the district, county and Registrar of Voters grew from constituents’ efforts to recall CUSD trustees. In response to the recall, administrators formed a list of enemies from those who supported the recall and some of their children. Kelley illegally allowed CUSD administrators to review the recall petitions and note who had signed them.