Beyond the Blackboard

Children First Sets December 1 Event

This from Capistrano Unified Children First, the group that supported three of the new Capistrano Unified trustees. The group also backed Measure H that mandates trustees get elected within in their districts, instead of at large.

The group is expected to support a candidate to run in the district (Capistrano/Ladera area) now represented by Sue Palazzo. Palazzo was elected by the Tony Beall supported board, and, along with Ellen Addonizio, still clings to that philosophy. (Addonizio, interestingly, is the only trustee who refuses to allow her photo in the Capo Unified offices.)

Jack Brick was also brought in by the Beall group, but has shifted to work with the others. He's also up for re-election in 2012. It will be interesting if he runs again to see if Children First will support him or another candidate.

Here's the Children First announcement:

Please join Capistrano Unified Children First for some pre-holiday campaign cheer on Thursday, December 1, 2011 at the fabulous, new MONTEGO* Restaurant at 27211 Ortega Highway in San Juan Capistrano from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Your $20 Donation at the door includes one drink and light refreshments.

All proceeds go to support Children First with the 2012 Capistrano Unified School District Trustee elections.

Plans are in the works and potential candidates are being considered.  We need your help more than ever to help us win next November.  

Remember, contributions of $99 or less in a calendar year are not reported by donor.  You can make a $99 contribution by December 31, 2011 and again in 2012!

Looking forward to seeing you on December 1st.  Bring a friend! 

*Pull into the shopping center with Starbucks and Tannins.  Montego is on the second story (up the stairs, above Tannins) or you can pull around the back to park.

Will Capistrano Unified's School Year Be Shorter?

A shorter school year could be one result of a worse-than-expected state budget. The non-partisan California Legislative Analyst Office released a report on November 16 that forecasted revenues will be $3.7 billion below estimates used in crafting the 2011-12 budget. But unlike previous years, the current state spending plans calls for automatic cuts in the mid-year budget if revenues did not meet assumptions.

The $3.7 billion is enough to trigger cuts to all levels of education, including $1.4 billion to K-12 schools.

But another proviso this year: State law prevents districts from laying off teachers in mid-year budget cuts. That means districts that have already weathered years of budget cuts have little left to trim, making a week-long furlough at the end of the year an attractive option. A shorter school year was one of the options allowed by the legislature, although the furloughs need teacher approval.

Capistrano Unified trustees on Monday agreed to reopen negotiations with the Capistrano Unified Education Association in light of potential mid-year budget cuts. Three of five non-student days are already counted as furlough days for Capistrano teachers.

Governor Jerry Brown's Department of Finance will issue its own forecast for the remainder of the fiscal year next month, which will determine whether the cuts are made. The fiscal year ends June 30; CUSD’s elementary school year is set to end June 21, if no changes are made.

Here's the LAO report: Download LAO 2011 Mid Year