Beyond the Blackboard

Legal Fees ...

Capistrano Unified School District settled a couple of lawsuits lately, but here's another number sometimes lost: Legal fees.

From the district:

Legal fees for Brown Act issues are $22,308.74. Because some of the items overlapped, this is an estimated breakdown. Jim Reardon (Brown Act) allegations have cost $10,886.17 and the DA investigation (resulting from Reardon's complaint) cost $11,422.57.

These totals are as of the end of September.

Federal Help for California Schools?

Acting Governor Abel Maldonado To Sign Legislation To Free Federal Funds For School Districts

 

Following through on his commitment to partner with Governor Schwarzenegger to expedite the state’s business, Acting Governor Abel Maldonado will sign legislation to allocate much needed federal funds to school districts. The federal funding is intended to retain school personnel, shield classrooms from the continuing economic recession and help transform California's lowest-performing schools.  

When: Friday, September 10, 2010 at 9:00am

 Where: Synergy Charter School

900 E 33rd St

Los Angeles, CA 90011

District Warns of Unauthorized Retails Selling School Clothing

This from the Capistrano Unified School District. I heard Walmart is one of the offenders...

The District has been informed that several large retail stores in the area have back-to-school displays featuring products containing school logos and names. Some claim that a portion of the proceeds from the sale of these products will be given back to schools.

This message is to inform interested parties that the district has not approved any agreement with retail stores, or vendors, to feature school logos on merchandise, and related products. Additionally, no arrangement has been made for schools to benefit from the sale of such items.

The only way to purchase official school merchandise is to buy products through the Associated Student Body, PTA or parent booster clubs on campus.

District officials are in the process of contacting the retail stores and will ask that the displays be dismantled. Officials will also ask that the stores cease to claim sale proceeds are shared with schools.

It's Official: Recall Election is November 2

Capistrano Unified School District Trustees on Tuesday formally set November 2 for the recall election for Trustees Ken Lopez Maddox and Mike Winsten.

Capistrano voters that will also decide on an initiative, whether trustees should be elected by residents of each area, rather than at large. All told, the November 2 election, which also includes three other trustee seats—held by Ellen Addonizio, Anna Bryson and Larry Christensen—will cost CUSD $357,500 to $417,500.

Here's the staff report from Tuesday: Download Recall Election Set

Also noteworthy: Last night was new Superintendent Joe Farley's first meeting at the helm.

More Demands to Return Settlement Money

This in by email ...

Petition Demanding the Return of “Net Proceeds” of lawsuits against CUSD

Whereas: A small number of individuals sued CUSD alleging that they and their families were harmed because they were placed on an “enemies list.”
Whereas: These civil cases were based upon criminal charges that were later dismissed. Therefore there was no basis for the civil complaints.
Whereas: In September, 2009 the CUSD Board of Trustees voted to approve out of court settlements to resolve these civil cases resulting in over $655,000 being paid to these individuals, families and their attorneys.
Whereas: The recipients of these settlements were all financial contributors or supporters of the CUSD Board of Trustees. The CUSD Trustees inappropriately voted to approve these payments to their financial donors and supporters.
Whereas: At least $100,000 was paid by CUSD out of the general fund to cover the deductible for these payments.
Whereas: When the individuals filed these lawsuits they “pledged to contribute back to the school district the net proceeds received from the school district. We intend to return to CUSD all of the net litigation proceeds.”
Whereas: Despite this promise the “net proceeds” have not been paid back to CUSD.
Therefore be it resolved: That the CUSD Board of Trustees should immediately demand that the “net proceeds” from these settlements be “contributed back to the school district” as the recipients promised.
Be it further resolved: That the recipients of these settlements fulfill their promises to the students and parents of CUSD and return this money.

Be it further resolved: That the CUSD Board of Trustees pledges to never again vote to approve out of court settlements that result in monies being paid to any individual, family or organization that financially contributed to any of their campaigns for office.

Source: http://www.ocregister.com/news/district-212910-capistrano-families.html

Source: The CUSD Recall Committee pledged to contribute back to the school district the net proceeds received from the school district. Russell stated, “We intend to return to CUSD all of the net litigation proceeds received from the school district.” http://cusdrecall.com/page26/files/category-enemies-list-claims.html

Sincerely,

The Undersigned  http://www.petitiononline.com/SAVECUSD/petition.html

Just a Little Record Keeping: Capistrano Unified Teachers Approve Contract

This came in by email this weekend...I'm checking to see what it means to teachers, etc.

 

Capistrano teachers approve new contract

Capistrano Board of Education also approves new agreement

 

ALISO VIEJO – By an approval margin of 94 percent, members of the Capistrano Unified Education Association have approved the tentative contract agreement that resulted from their three-day late-April strike action. In a special May 19 meeting, the Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees also voted 5-0 to approve the new agreement.

 

The three-year contract guarantees that salary cuts and furlough days will be restored as new monies from state funds and from enrollment growth come to the district. It also delays the health benefits cap until the 2010-2011 school year and gives Capistrano teachers improved provisions for transfers and leaves.

 

“CUEA members cannot find words adequate to express our appreciation to the thousands of supportive district parents and community members whose support and encouragement helped Capistrano’s teachers achieve this new contract with the CUSD board,” said CUEA President Vicki Soderberg.