Parents Advocate League Update
By Julie Collier

Wednesday was a special board meeting. There were no speakers and approximately 20 people in the audience. The board approved both items on the agenda. It was a brief meeting (less than an hour). I was accompanied by my son, Jack (incoming 4th grader). He's been asking to go to a board meeting for more than a year because "Mom always goes to them. Why can't I?" While he enjoyed meeting Supt. Mahler and Julie Hatchel, he was sufficiently bored and lost interest in going in the future (except for the ones Mr. Volzke suggested he attend where there is lots of arguing and fighting. Thanks, Jonathan!). Needless to say, Jack won't be attending any more "bored" meetings.

Item 1: Reinstatement of Management Positions

Mr. Lebs explained that the four positions were critical to the function of the district. He also stated the cost of these positions was already included in the budget that was approved in June. The board approved (7-0), without discussion, to reinstate four district-level positions at the cost of $626,937 (after pay cut and furlough days $570,277). The jobs up for reinstatement are:

1.     Asst. Superintendent, Secondary Education
2.     Executive Director I, Consolidated Programs and Special Programs
3.     Director V, Resolution Specialist Special Education
4.     Coordinator, Literacy and Instruction Materials

Item 2: Strategic Planning

This item passed 7-0. Supt. Mahler explained that CUSD and other districts have a plan for their district. It has been a while since CUSD has provided a new plan for the district. She suggested that the trustees come up with a tool of governance to provide belief statements of the board and staff direction.

• Trustee Bryson wants to move from the past and have a fresh direction with parent input. She also suggested comparing CUSD with other districts in the state and nation.
• Trustee Addonizio wants the plan to be reality-based due to the economic climate. She asked if principals could provide an evaluation of the school year regarding what worked and what didn't.
• Trustee Palazzo wants the plan to include a way to encourage students to walk or ride their bikes to school.
• Trustee Winsten requested the staff provide a snapshot of where the district is now so CUSD can move forward. He also brought up the fact that the Mission Viejo City Council discussed Monday that they are considering creating their own school district. You can view this discussion at the MV City website. Supt. Mahler explained it would be hard to achieve because it could take years, and it requires voter response. You can view the document Supt. Mahler presented to the board at: Beyond the Blackboard 

You can read more about this and other issues on education:

Embattled Capistrano district seeks strategic plan

Expert: Schools ready to swallow $6 billion cut

If you are on Facebook, there is a parent-led group called "Save Class Size Reduction in Capo School District" that anyone can join.