The Buzz

The June 30 Capistrano Dispatch summarized the Capo school district’s finances, http://capistranoinsider.typepad.com/beyond_the_blackboard : “The district's reserves were at the minimum 2 percent, but state law will allow them to borrow for a year, so trustees took the reserves from $7.28 million to $1.8 million. Larry Christensen noted the scariest part was dipping into the reserves to pass the $364 million budget. Administrators said they hope an agreement with non-teaching employees can make up the money and restore the reserves. The teacher's contract saved the district about $17 million.”

***

Of the state's 1,077 school districts, 14 are classified as in especially dire condition and likely to face bankruptcy, and 160 others have a “qualified” financial outlook, meaning they are at risk. The Dispatch made reference to an article in the L.A. Times. Read the entire story at http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-school-finances-20100630,0,2651372.story?track=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Fee d%3A+latimes%2Fmostviewed+%28L.A.+Times+-+Most+Viewed+Stories%29 . The OC Register identified 11 out of 28 districts that filed “qualified” budgets in March, including Capistrano USD and Saddleback Valley USD http://www.ocregister.com/news/districts-255624-school-financial.html . A Mission Viejo observer commented, “How long will it be before school districts will sell closed campuses to make ends meet? Without Measure D in place, what defense do homeowners have against the threat of apartment complexes replacing schools?”

***

Memorable Tea Party sign: You have run out of our money. Stop spending.

***

To review the list of the county’s top pensioners, follow the link: http://www.voiceofoc.org/blogs/article_271fc9f2-84bf-11df-930c-001cc4c002e0.html . A watchdog group filed a lawsuit to force Orange County Employees Retirement System to release the list. The list includes Mike Carona, former Sheriff, $18,121.47; Chip Prather, former Chief for OC Fire, $17, 010.51; Charlie Walters, former Assistant Sheriff, $19,429.73; and Gary Streed, former director of finance for the OC Sanitation District, $19,701.52. In December, 515 former top employees received $5.4 million.

***

It’s difficult to follow all the excuses offered by Councilmembers Frank Ury and Trish Kelley regarding why they voted for, and against, and for lifetime medical benefits for themselves. With Kelley’s re-election at stake in November, she’s now revoking her benefits in the same way ex-councilman Lance MacLean attempted to revoke his on the eve of his recall. Ury is revoking his as well – four days after voting to keep them. Read Brad Morton’s article at http://missionviejodispatch.com/?p=16968 . Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht has agendized the topic for the July 6 council meeting to recommend eliminating current and future council members from such eligibility. Ury and Kelley have agendized their revocation letters under their council comments. Between elections (when she thinks voters aren’t paying attention), Kelley states privately that she believes she is entitled to the benefits.