The summer vacation for all students is well underway. The seniors graduated, and are waiting for September to face their college lives. I find Capo Unified School District students all over, a few are employed in summer jobs, working out at 24 Hour Fitness, for example, and enjoying the summer their time at the beach sunning and surfing.

I talked with many and I find them interested in their future. When they find out that I taught at the university level, they ask me questions about what to do and not to do in college.

I told quite a few youngsters that during my University tenure I have found that lots of scholarship remain unclaimed as no one applies for them. I advise them to look into the list of scholarships for undergraduate study and apply.

As predicted in my June column, the June 24 recall-election was successful, and Sue Pallazzo, and Ken Maddox replaced Ms. Draper and Benecke. They were installed on the Board.

Now that CUSD reform candidates have majority, the Board portfolios were changed. Ellen Addonizio was selected as President, Anna Bryson as Vice President, and Larry Christensen as the Clerk of the Board. Let us see how the reform candidates change the CUSD Board affairs. There are lots to be accomplished.

The issue of the high-pressure pipeline near San Juan Hills High School has not been resolved. In an updated study published in the CUSD website, it has been recognized that if the pipe ruptures, there will be enough fuel on the ground which will flow for about five minutes. The playgrounds remain off limits to the students.

The July 21st Board meeting has an agenda item requesting the Board to adopt the revised study. It seems prudent that the Board takes the matter under submission and studies the report in detail; obtain further citizen input prior to accepting the revised report.

(Editor's Note: Ram Mukherji, a former elected school board member and Vice President of the LARMAC Board of Directors, is expected to be a candidate for the Capistrano Unified School Board in District 2, which includes all of Ladera Ranch, a seat currently held by Marlene Draper. He would run in 2008, or earlier should the seat be vacated before then by the resignation or recall of Ms. Draper.)