CUSD Update

OC Register reporter Scott Martindale’s article on CUSD’s troubles was published Jan. 30. The article attempts to vindicate the position of Supt. Woodrow Carter. In January, this blog published a CUSD parent’s email outlining the top 10 reasons Carter should be dismissed. This blog stands by the list as on-point with facts.

Martindale tries but fails to discredit the list. Contrary to his statement that the Top 10 List “accused the superintendent of orchestrating an effort to get the union’s contract signed without the trustees’ knowledge,” that’s not true. The list states that Carter and his staff entered into a tentative agreement with the teachers union without board authority. The list states that Carter directed staff to sign a TLA with the teacher’s union, which was dated Oct. 15.

Martindale quotes CUSD administrator Suzette Lovely: “I called Mr. Carter from the meeting to get concurrence (on whether it was appropriate to sign the contract), which is protocol. There was concurrence. I signed the contract.” Therefore, Carter directed Lovely to sign the agreement.

The contract was signed on Oct. 15, 2008, and Martindale says the trustees weren’t notified until Fri., Oct. 17. Therefore, the trustees didn’t have knowledge until after the agreement was signed. Additionally, the document Carter provided to the trustees doesn’t state a dollar value of the concessions that were agreed upon. He sent it to the trustees on Friday – likely in the Friday packet.

On Mon., Oct. 20, the board met in closed session with Lovely and took no action on the TLA. Does that indicate they didn’t agree with what was presented? They met again on Nov. 3 and voted “no” on the agreement, confirming they didn’t agree with the TLA.

Has anyone seen any document that outlines the cost associated with the agreement? By checking the FCMT Website, one can find article after article about California school districts negotiating with the district unions to reduce benefits or wages to save jobs. It would be financially irresponsible to sign an agreement in CUSD providing employees of the district with Step and Column (automating increases) and absorption of all benefit increases, especially without knowing the costs associated with concessions and given the economic crisis.

Was it later revealed in a CUCPSTA meeting that the cost was around $4 million with an unknown cost of the benefits? For an HMO, 100 percent of the employees and all dependents’ benefits are paid by the district. What if all the employees switched to HMO? The financial outcome could be disastrous.

If Martindale is correct and Lovely (with Carter’s concurrence) can sign any agreement without the board’s authorization, and if the board doesn’t go along, it causes a “firestorm,” then no wonder CUSD has financial problems. Per Lovely, this is protocol.

Since the trustees by law can only authorize, as a board, by vote, where is the record of authorization for Lovely’s signing the agreement? And where did the board authorize the agreement before she acted on the board’s behalf?

The trustees by law must remain silent on Carter and the negotiations. Lately at school board meetings, employees in the audience yell, heckle and act like two-year-olds. This blog has suggested that community members attend a board meeting to observe the outrageous behavior of the CUSD employees who say it’s all about the kids. This blog concludes it’s not. It’s all about power, money and, now, administrators trying to delay the inevitable and warranted outcome – Carter’s dismissal.