Beyond the Blackboard

Trustees Expected to Deal with Patton Situation Tonight

Capistrano Unified School District Trustees are expected to handle the long-lingering situation with former San Clemente High School football coach Eric Patton at their meeting at 6 p.m. tonight.

Patton supporters have been regularly attending school board meetings to speak in favor of the coach/teacher, who was removed from working with students after public accusations about slush funds with a former athletic equipment supplier rippled across Southern California.

Patton and his attorney have even attended a meeting, although Patton has not addressed the board.

Essentially, the allegations are that a former equipment supplier, Lapes, would create "slush funds" for coaches with money pooled when equipment was returned, or with additional charges placed on equipment purchased with district money. Imagine if the district pays for a pair of shoulder pads for $200 with all of the expected reviews and purchase orders. Then the shoulder pads are returned to the supplier. Instead of the $200 going back into school or district accounts, it was credited to a coaches' fund.

There's no allegations that coaches used the money for personal gain, but they could then spend the money -- essentially taxpayer dollars -- on their program without oversight.

Supporters say the coaches did nothing wrong. Scott Martindale at the OC Register reports a coach at Saddleback College was discplined, but by and large districts throughout Southern California took no action against coaches.

Patton, of course, was removed from his head coaching post not long before school, and the football season, began. Imagine the uproar trustees would have faced if the  Tritons had not made it to the CIF finals.

As it is, insiders see the Patton situation (which also involves former Capo Valley coach Chi Chi Biehn, and Dana Hills' Brent Melbon) as a lingering problem for the "new" trustees that needs to be cleared up. Also, Superintendent Joe Farley was pretty firm early on that it appeared wrongdoing had been committed.

The OC Sheriff's investigated/are investigating, but nothing has come of that yet.

On the other side, the case was brought to the public attention and pushed by an Irvine couple who bought Lapes, then tried to sue the former owner, so Patton supporters say they have an alterior motive.

Here's a letter to the board from a Patton supporter:

Dear Board of Trustees,

I wanted to take a minute and express my displeasure with the decision to limit the speakers this past Monday night from the normal 3 minutes to 2 minutes.  This was a total lack of respect for those that prepared comments.  One could certainly interpret this maneuver as a violation of The Brown Act on one hand, but at the very least this was done in poor taste.

I understand there were 8 speakers, although I'm still not sure what Mr. Carter was speaking about.  If you weren't aware, Mr. Carter is an administrator for the District as a financial analyst.  Let's just say his comments were curious at best.  His presence as a speaker and the significance of having an additional speaker that night is very meaningful given the fact that 6 of the 8 speakers were set to speak on Eric Patton's behalf.

Even with the 8 speakers at 3 minutes each, this would only total 24 minutes.  I know there are only 20 minutes allotted, but you would think an extra 4 minutes in the overall scheme of things would not have been that big of a deal.  Given the fact that Eric Patton's reputation and future is at stake here, I find it disturbing the Board couldn't capitulate and allocate the extra 4 minutes.

In light of the fact the only information the Board receives is from Mr. Farley and his team, you would think the Board would be interested in hearing the other side of the argument.  And believe me there is another side to the argument.  Please do yourselves a favor and look into the facts that we do have, but really couldn't present in a 2 minute window.

Trust me when I say if this was a civil case, it would have been thrown out a long time ago.  The true evidence supports Eric Patton's innocence.  What you have been privy to is manipulated data and a litany of assumptions that are incorrect, all of which can be proven.

Out of the approximate 80 districts that looked into the alleged Lapes scandal, I believe CUSD is the only district still pursuing this issue.

All of the other districts dropped the case!  Doesn't this raise the slightest bit of doubt in your minds?  I'm fortunate, I know Eric Patton is not guilty of any wrong doing.  I've been involved in the football program the past 6 years and have had the oversight of all finances.

Given the amount of money that has recklessly been spent on this issue, the financial condition of the District, and the bad press the District will incur, I'm asking you to reach out listen to some common sense.

It's time to drop this case against Eric Patton.  The facts bear it out and there is no other logical decision you can come to.  You were elected to make good moral and fiscal decisions, I trust you will do so.

If you would like to know the real truth, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Mark W. Klein

CEO

FMI Products, LLC

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. One more interesting note: The board will take any action in closed session, and while they must announce the vote publicly, they will not identify any terminated employee by name in open session.

 

 

Mandarin Headed to Capistrano Unified

This mostly from Capistrano Unified School District after Monday's meeting:

Capistrano Unified School District trustees on Monday approved a Mandarin Chinese immersion program, the first in an Orange County public school system and one of about 80 nationwide.

The program should be in place in the South Orange County school district by the 2012-2013 school year.

“A challenging economic environment is no excuse for not being able to offer new and innovative educational programs requested by our community,” Board Clerk John M. Alpay said in a statement. “There is intense demand for this language, and in an era of school choice and competition, our ability to offer this program to our families reaffirms this District’s status as an innovative provider of quality education.”

Alpay, a corporate attorney who represents San Clemente, suggested and pushed for the program.

While English is the language spoken by academics, businesspeople, aviators, and other global professionals and is the world’s third most popular language, Mandarin is the world’s most spoken language with more than 1 billion speakers, the district said. The program has proven to be welcomed by parents countywide, with 165 families having committed their students to attend the program. 

“The third pillar of the District’s strategic plan is academic achievement and enrichment. Adding this program fits right into the vision for helping student become successful in both college and career,” Trustee Anna Bryson said. “Allowing students this intense language focus will ensure that they are bilingual and biliterate when they graduate, which gives them an advantage over many of their peers who will not have this opportunity.”

Students who choose to attend the program would begin in kindergarten or first grade with 80 percent of instruction taking place in Mandarin. The program will be phased in with kindergarten, and, if feasible, first grade. The program will be placed at an existing school site, and utilize the same open enrollment policies currently in place for the district’s successful Spanish two-way immersion programs.

The Capistrano Unified School District serves 53,000 students in a 195-square-mile area of South Orange County. For more information on the Mandarin immersion program, please contact Amy Bryant, director of curriculum and instructional support, at 949.234.9254.

Read more: The Capistrano Dispatch - Capistrano Trustees Approve Mandarin Chinese Immersion Program 

Capistrano Unified School District API Score Rises 13 Points -- Updated

From the District; we'll start sorting through scores when they become public:

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO—The Capistrano Unified School District remains the state’s highest achieving large school district, Academic Performance Index (API) scores released today by the California Department of Education indicate.

The District’s API score rose to 875, a 13-point increase from 2010. Of the District’s 54 traditional schools, 24 scored better than 900, which is considered an elite score. Another 51 scored above the state goal of 800, and every school in the District scored above 775.

“I can’t describe how proud I am of our students and their teachers,” Board President Jack R. Brick said. “These results validate the intense focus on instruction the Board has demanded. Under the leadership of Superintendent Joe Farley and with the support of our entire community, Capistrano Unified continues to be a leader in preparing students for success after graduation.”

When compared to other districts in the state, CUSD fared quite well. Among large districts, those with more than 35,000 students, CUSD has the top API score. Among the largest 100 school districts in the state, there are just six that scored higher.

“These numbers prove that this is one of the top school systems in the state,” Superintendent Joe Farley said. “We cannot succeed without the fantastic support our schools and students receive from the community. While we expect great results, these numbers are truly an indication of the hard work our teachers and instructional leaders have put into the development, design, and delivery of instruction.”

Chaparral Elementary School had an API of 948, the highest score in the District. For middle schools, Ladera Ranch earned the highest score with a 935. Tesoro was the highest scoring high school with an 883. Again, all of the District’s high schools surpassed the 800 mark; and, for the first time, all of the district’s middle schools surpassed 800.

Several schools saw large increases in their scores, led by Wood Canyon Elementary School in Aliso Viejo with a 44-point gain from 2010. Wood Canyon raised its API from 802 to 846. At the middle school level, Shorecliffs Middle School in San Clemente saw its score increase by 40 points, from 817 to 857. San Juan Hills High School experienced a 25-point increase, moving its score from 810 to 835. Just three schools saw a decrease.

Statewide, 55 percent of elementary schools, 43 percent of middle schools and 28 percent of high schools met or surpassed the state API target of 800

The API is a single number, ranging from a low of 200 to a high of 1000, which reflects performance level, based on the results of statewide testing. Its purpose is to measure the academic performance and growth of schools. The API was established in 1999 by legislation that created a new academic accountability system for K-12 public education in California. The API is calculated by converting a student’s performance on statewide assessments across multiple content areas into points on the API scale. These points are then averaged across all students and all tests. The result is the API.

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Here's a link to finding the scores for your own school

Here's a list of the three cities we cover - some impressive gains in English-learning ...

Download South API Scores

More on the San Clemente High School Football Shakeup ...

From Monday night's meeting with San Clemente High officials and Capistrano Unified School District Superintendent Joe Farley:

A private investigator’s recent findings into financial improprieties with defunct Lapes Athletic Team Sales led Capistrano Unified School administrators to remove San Clemente High football coaches last week, district officials told parents tonight.

In a carefully choreographed meeting about the decision to put the coaches on administrative leave, Principal George Duarte backed by Superintendent Joe Farley addressed the nearly 100 parents in the Triton Center and fielded their questions. The administrators spent about 45 minutes assuring parents they were doing their best to keep the student-athletes’ best interests at heart while discussing the bare-bone basics of a months-long investigation into alleged kickbacks.

“The reason we’re here is because we take this entire situation seriously,” Duarte said. “It’s been tough.”

Last week, Triton head football Coach Eric Patton and four additional coaches were abruptly pulled from their coaching jobs, leaving players and their parents frustrated and concerned about a season only days away from starting.

None of the coaches have been charged criminally, but Jim Amormino, spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, said last week his agency is investigating Lapes Athletic and coaches.

Tonight, parents voiced concern about their boys, the reputations of the coaches and the future of the program.

“I just think the process needs to be looked at,” said parent Tom Donnelly.

Here's the entire story, by reporter Stacey N. Galang.

The 'Mason of Capistrano Unified's' Rebuilding...

Our story on Dr. Farley's first full year ... Anyone have any other thoughts?

From The Capistrano Dispatch, San Clemente Times and Dana Point Times

Superintendent Joe Farley’s first year seen as success

When Dr. Joseph Farley was hired to lead the Capistrano Unified School District, he was the seventh superintendent for the 52,000-student district in just four years.

That was a year ago. Now, by all accounts, the revolving door on the Superintendent’s Office at Capistrano Unified School District has not only been locked down, it’s been torn out.

Board meetings that once drew sheriff’s deputies as they degenerated into shouting matches have been replaced by cordial, professional sessions. In the past, crowds were so numerous school officials would only let in new attendees as others left, like a trendy nightclub, to comply with fire codes. Now, meetings are sparsely attended by PTA officials and those concerned with a particular issue.

In a district dominated by politics for years, another focus has emerged: On students and learning. And many are quick to give Farley much of the credit.

“Our recent past has not always been quite so smooth,” Tom Ressler, principal of San Juan Hills High School, told trustees in June. “This year it has been a really exciting time on our campus … because of this man who sits before us, Dr. Farley, weve actually been tasked with dealing with students and dealing with learning and dealing with teaching strategies…

“It’s been a very, very good year and we’re appreciative of Dr. Farley and the board for that.”

Here's the full story.

Capo Valley High Principal Announced

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO—Capistrano Unified School District Trustees on Wednesday afternoon named Kevin E. Astor, Ed.D. as principal of Capistrano Valley High School (CVHS).

“We are excited to have Kevin join the administrative team,” Superintendent Joe Farley said. “His commitment to academic excellence and a well-rounded school culture will ensure the continued success of each and every student at Capistrano Valley High School.”

Astor replaces interim principal Cheryl Baughn, a retired administrator who filled the position when Deni Christensen became Executive Director of Secondary Education.

“I couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity,” Astor said. “Every step of the process kept confirming that this was a great chance for me to be a part of what is happening in Capistrano Unified. The District has a long history of success. Now it is taking another step forward and growing in a dynamic way. I want to be a part of that process to meet the needs of our students.”

CVHS, home to one of the District’s two high school International Baccalaureate programs, was recently ranked No. 459 in the annual list of America’s Best High Schools by Newsweek magazine. The school can also boast one of the state’s top marching bands, with four state titles since 2002, a six-year accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and a highly respected athletic program.

Astor began his career teaching Spanish at the middle school level in 1993. He became an assistant principal in 1999 and a principal in 2006. Astor has bachelor’s degrees in Hispanic Language and Literature and Modern Foreign Language Education from Boston University, a master’s degree in Education Administration from United States International University, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California.

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The district didn't announce his previous campus, but Astor was principal at a middle school in Anaheim Union, the district where Superintendent Joe Farley worked before moving to Capistrano Unified, and where the new prinicpal for Dana Hills was found ...