CUSD Update

From the Capo school district newsletter, “Capo Talk,” Feb. 10:

“Trustees Begin Addressing 2012-2013 Budget Shortfall: District Faces $30 Million to $50 Million Deficit. The Board of Trustee will meet on Monday night at 7 p.m. Items on the agenda include a report on the District budget and financing for the 2012-2013 school year when the budget shortfall is expected to be $30 million to $50 million, consideration of a resolution adopting the official Trustee area map for elections to the Board, and two pilot courses in science. The meeting will take place in the District Education Center, 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano.”

What do constituents think of CUSD officially announcing the need to cut $30 million to $50 million? This is just speculation and not official numbers from CUSD (per their budget, the total budget including capital account is $372 million). If you think about it, if the general fund is, rounding down, $300 million and salaries and benefits are 92 percent (per Supt. Farley at the SCHS forum), they only have $24 million before 100 percent of the budget is salary and benefits.  Doesn't that mean they need to cut around $7 million to $26 million in compensation reduction to have 100 percent of the general fund go to salary and benefits?  If they are not allowed to discuss compensation without union negotiations (in closed session) what exactly is the point of the budget workshop?

As positive news last week, Capistrano Valley High School celebrated the grand opening of its Student Art Gallery. Photos of the event can be found on the OC Register website, http://www.ocregister.com/news/school-339843-high-student.html?pic=1

Jane Shafron, director of the CVHS Foundation, distributed a press release about the Feb. 9 opening. From the press release:

“It was a colorful affair at the official opening of the Capistrano Valley High School Art Gallery affair on Thursday evening February 9, 2012. Art from ceramic, painting, drawing and photography classes were on show inside the art gallery, and outside digital art was displayed on five screens, while musicians played and drama and choir students entertained.”

The CVHS student gallery is the first of its kind for the Capo district. Funding came from a partnership between the Capistrano Valley High School Foundation and a generous donation from Mission Hills Church in Mission Viejo. Tables for displaying the artwork were custom-made by Mission Hills Church.

Among attendees of the grand opening were CUSD Trustees Ellen Addonizio and Mission Viejo Council Members Cathy Schlicht, Trish Kelley and Rhonda Reardon.