All schools in Capistrano Unified School District are proceeding as per their schedules. The last day of school is June 23.
As we have seen in the past, the high school seniors are gearing up to end their high school life and on to higher education. The junior high students are planning for high school life, visiting their schools.
Special Election
The Orange County Committee on School District Organization ordered the vote to determine if taxpayers want to elect the trustees by district rather than at large to be held during the scheduled General Election this coming November.
This is a reversal of previous decision where the vote would have been held during a special election this June.
This reversal will save the District approximately half a million dollars, which is a good news for the cashstrapped District.
Budget Problems
The budget shortfall continues to deteriorate. As always, the budget numbers are a moving target changing almost every week.
The only thing remaining the same is the shortfall to the tune of $25 million for the current budget year of 2009-10, and an additional shortfall of $4.7 million for the next school year of 2010-11.
The only possible savior to the budget shortfall as I can see is the federal stimulus funding which still remains uncertain.
Carter Lawsuit
The former CUSD superintendent, Mr. A. Woodrow Carter, removed in March 2009, has filed a $5.5 million lawsuit against the District.
The suit claims breach of contract leading to loss of future salary and benefits. This is his second attempt to recover lost pay and future earning possibility.
New Recall
The third recall in last five years is now underway. One can see posters with slogans against the CUSD Board at the street corners.
The recall petitioners had to serve their petition a second time as the two Trustees who are the target of the recall – Michael Winsten and Ken Lopez-Maddox – threatened to file a lawsuit against the recall group for wrong statements in the petition.
The recall group has retained an attorney to assure that all legal issues are addressed. I see the attorneys are making money.
Super Search
The Trustees have started a new Superintendent search effort. The constituents are advised to provide selection criteria which will be forwarded to the search firm.