The State and Local Teachers' Union just bought the CUSD Board of Trustees at a cost of more than $170,000.

The Capistrano Unified Education Association (CUEA, also known as the teachers union) outspent the parent student-centered fiscal conservative candidates during the recent election (2016) by many multiples as noted in this graphic to get their anointed candidates elected to the CUSD Board of Trustees (the same candidates who supported "Measure M", the billion dollar bailout of failed leadership at CUSD).

If CUEA's paid mailers for teachers union funded candidates weren't so misleading the results would have been very different. We got a big win for taxpayers with the defeat of Measure M, but sadly a big loss for the students with the majority voters voting down the non-union, student-centered, taxpayer friendly candidates. Beware voters, the state and local teachers' union just bought the CUSD Board of Trustees at a cost of more than $170,000.

Ask yourself 1) why would this kind of money be spent to defeat dedicated parent candidates who support fiscal prudence and accountability, transparency for the public, improving the special needs program, and strengthening the academic rigor for all students in CUSD, while supporting school choice options for students? and, 2) who do you think these Trustees will be beholden to now that they got elected? Do you think it will be your children and the restoration of cut programs that parents are now forced to fundraise for their "free" education, facilities maintenance and repairs, or smaller class sizes ?...or, teacher salaries and pensions? That's not a trick question. Pay attention voters, many of you were fooled into thinking the teacher's picks were the right choices--they were not.

Thank you supporters

Dear Friends,

Thank you for following my web blog and for supporting my grassroots campaign for the school board. I am grateful to those of you who volunteered countless hours of time and passion to help. I am also grateful to the 8,735 people who cast their ballots for me and I am proud to have earned your votes. Our team gave it our all and ran a great campaign! I am especially proud of the youth who helped out and were able to experience Democracy in action. 

I have taught my own kids that win or lose, it is how you play the game that matters. Our team’s good sportsmanship and perseverance made the experience a positive one. After three-months of campaigning, the outcome is mixed. I am disappointed with the results for the school board race as I did not win against the teacher’s union-funded candidate in which they spent $60,000 on running her campaign. However, I am very pleased to report that Measure M, which I opposed and my opponent supported, was defeated. Our team worked hard in San Clemente walking door-to-door and communicating via email and social media to inform voters of the real facts about Measure M that we felt CUSD was not communicating to the public.  We will not be triple-taxed by Measure M, the $1.8 billion tax increase (the largest bond proposed in OC’s history) because it failed to garner 55% required to pass. 

I ran for office with the goal of creating a more student-centered, taxpayer-friendly board leadership at CUSD, which is profoundly needed. After my years of involvement attending meetings, speaking up and remedying community issues for our taxpayers and students, my experiences and knowledge would have been beneficial in making the school district run better and be more responsive to the people it serves.

I remain hopeful and will not stop trying to make a difference in our community. Positive change takes time.

I will leave this page active so I can share relevant information with you from time to time.

Thank you again for your support and encouragement during this journey.

Warm regards,

Laura Ferguson

 

 

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER EDITORIAL BOARD ENDORSED LAURA FERGUSON FOR CUSD SCHOOL BOARD, TRUSTEE AREA 3

I am pleased to have the Orange County Register Editorial Board's endorsement, having spent an hour there one Friday morning interviewing alongside my opponent for the CUSD school board race for a compare and contrast of sorts on the many issues affecting CUSD. One major issue is the CUSD billion dollar bond, aka Measure M, which my opponent supports and I adamantly oppose as a very bad deal for taxpayers and our children, considering the debt legacy we would leave them should this bad bond measure pass. I am glad the OC Register Editorial Board can see how change is needed on the CUSD school board and gave me their endorsement.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/school-733494-board-charter.html

Public Policy Institute Article on Prop 51 -- shows just under half support the $9 billion school bond intiative

Here's a good read on Prop 51 and its waning support. Just like Measure M (the biggest bond in OC history) which is similar to CUSD's version of printing money--lots of money that will stick taxpayers with the bill for more than 3 decades. Both Prop 51 and Measure M are a bad deal for taxpayers and if these bonds pass, our schools won't see half of the money it will cost us, yet lawyers, architects, construction workers, Wall Street investors, bond consultants will win big time.  I urge your no vote on Prop 51 and Measure M.

http://disclosurecusd.blogspot.com/2016/11/public-policy-institute-survey-shows.html#!/2016/11/public-policy-institute-survey-shows.html

Hello Friends,

I hope you all had a happy and safe Halloween. Here is one more update before Election Day. I encourage you all to vote and tell your friends to vote and bring much needed change to the CUSD school board. We have a chance to create a student-centered, taxpayer friendly school board that values the voice of the people.  Most of you have followed my emails for three years now and read my updates from the school board meetings I attend regularly, and know I have been a vocal voice for parents, students and taxpayers, speaking out at meetings and remedying community issues that have benefitted our taxpayers and students.  This is the election that can turn CUSD around. We won't have this chance again for 4 more years so vote, and tell your friends to vote (depending on where they live) for Ferguson, Reardon, Vollebregt and Shrove.

Our opponents support the billion dollar bailout of failed leadership at CUSD and are all endorsed and funded by special interests (the teacher's union). The four of us are grassroots candidates not beholden to any special interests. We are vocal opponents of this bond that was rushed over the summer, lacks specificity and has no guarantee that the projects will ever be completed. Word on the street is the teacher's union has allocated over $100,000 to get their anointed candidates elected. We already have 6 of the 7 school board members bought by the union. It is time for some balance so the students, parents and taxpayers have a seat at the table.  Through your vote, you have the power to forge this change.

Orange County Register Editorial Board Endorsement for Laura Ferguson

I am proud to have the OC Register's endorsement, having spent an hour there on October 21st interviewing alongside my opponent for the CUSD school board race for a compare and contrast of sorts on the many issues affecting CUSD. I am glad the OC Register can see how change is needed on the CUSD school board and chose to endorse me over my opponent who favors the billion dollar bailout of failed leadership at CUSD, and does not support school choice for parents and students. Here is the link: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/school-733494-board-charter.html

Measure M Billion Dollar Tax Increase and the Rancho Mission Viejo Community

I posted on https://www.facebook.com/laurafergusonforcusd/ my opinion about Measure M and the special exemption given to the rich developer, the Rancho Mission Viejo Company whose Mello-Roos taxpayers will avoid this tax, and what this means to the rest of us who were not carved out of this bond, should voters decide to pass this bond measure. I've addressed the board on this matter, stating how this proposal lacked equity and overburdened other Mello-Roos communities whose taxpayers already paid far more than their fair share and in Talega, for example, still have 17 years left to pay off the schools built with Mello-Roos bonds. Here is the gist of it: The secret is out - after connecting the dots, it appears Measure M is a scheme to funnel free, matching State funds to Rancho Mission Viejo to pay for schools in that community that the rest of the CUSD taxpayers will pay for through the Measure M tax to be assessed on properties for 35 Years.

Pay to Play: Backers of Measure M campaign stand to gain millions in contracts

Follow the money voters. Carefully reflect on what (and who) you are voting for and consider the amount of money from special interests backing candidates and measures, like CUSD's Measure M and statewide propositions. Private companies, bond consultants, lawyers, and Wall Street, have a lot to gain on the backs of taxpayers. CUSD has not demonstrated fiscal prudence, nor any desire to live within its means. Trust is broken. Vote NO on M. http://www.ocregister.com/articles/measure-733652-unified-viejo.html?utm_source=dlvr.it

Together we can build a better school district! I appreciate your support this November 8th. Thank you.

Best,

Laura Ferguson for CUSD School Board

Blog: http://laurafergusonforcusd.blogspot.com/

Campaign Email: LauraFergusonforCUSD@gmail.com

Campaign Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurafergusonforcusd/

 **PAID FOR BY LAURA FERGUSON FOR CAPISTRANO UNIFIED SCHOOL BOARD 2016  FPPC ID#1390047**

 

 

 

The Secret is Out - After connecting the dots, it appears Measure M is a Scheme to Funnel Free, Matching State Funds to Rancho Mission Viejo to Pay for Schools in that Community that the Rest of the CUSD Taxpayers Will Pay for Through the Measure M Tax to be Assessed on Properties for 35 Years.

 

·         The dollar amount of Measure M was dictated at the highest amount by the bond consultant CUSD hired.

 

·         The total dollar amount of Measure M, with interest, is $1.8 BILLION!

 

·         The Measure M tax is assessed against real property and personal property. This means secured and unsecured property such as homes, commercial property, mobile homes, boats, airplanes, improvements on real estate, and business property/fixtures like commercial ovens.

 

·         The Measure M tax will last for 35 years from the date the last bond is sold. (A current 7 year old first grader will be in his/her 50’s when Measure M is paid off, assuming CUSD doesn’t take any steps to extend the bond).

 

·         CUSD taxpayers are still paying off the Measure A bond that was passed in 1999.

 

·         Communities like Ladera & Talega will be tripled taxed if Measure M passes (ad valorem, Mello-Roos & "M").

 

·         CUSD wants to use Measure M to try to obtain up to $229 million in matching state funds that will be provided to CUSD free of charge.

 

·         Rancho Mission Viejo (“RMV”), the newest community in CUSD with the greatest need for schools (none have been built yet) was deliberately excluded from Measure M by CUSD. Senior communities like Costa del Sol (fixed incomes)  and Mello-Roos communities, ie. Ladera and Talega (already paying extra taxes via Mello-Roos) were not excluded.

 

·         Schools built with Ladera & Talega Mello-Roos are already heavily impacted by students from RMV.

 

·         Because RMV was excluded from Measure M, it does not have to pay any Measure M taxes if Measure M passes, but no Measure M funds can be used at or for RMV. However, RMV can receive and use any matching state funds CUSD obtains if Measure M is passed.

 

·         At a SC Times Coffee Chat hosted by CUSD Board President Amy Hanacek on October 21st, she stated that state matching funds obtained by CUSD (if Measure M passes) will be used at RMV though she said she cannot support building new schools when there is no money. She said the RMV Company is heavily backing Prop 51, the statewide school facilities bond ($9B state matching funds for school facilities), and CUSD's Measure M.

 

·         Under this, all of CUSD except RMW will pay Measure M taxes on their real property and personal property for 35 years if Measure M passes. RMV does not have to pay any Measure M taxes, yet it will get,  free of charge, matching state funds up to $229 million obtained by CUSD if Measure M passes.

 

·         Without Measure M there are no matching state funds for CUSD, and no matching state funds for RMV.

 

·         If a School Facilities Improvement District bond is ever formed in RMV, those taxpayer funds will only be able to be spent in the SFID, while the rest of CUSD taxpayer money is in a pot of funds to be shared district-wide.

 

·         Given the millions of free dollars RMV is in line to receive if Measure M passes, it is not surprising the rich and powerful landowner developing RMV is in favor of Measure M and Proposition 51.

 

·         CUSD does not need bond funds to access and spend State matching funds.  CUSD is using the lure of match to sell the Measure M to the community but can then use it on the schools in RMV (excluded from Measure M).

 

VOTE NO ON MEASURE M - There are over a Billion Reasons to do so.

List of Endorsements

for November 8, 2016 Election

 

Mayor Bob Baker, City of San Clemente

Councilmember Lori Donchak, City of San Clemente

Councilmember Tim Brown, City of San Clemente

Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Ward, City of San Clemente

Greg Ward, Retired High School Teacher

Ret. Mayor (2012) Jim Evert, City of San Clemente

Assemblyman Bill Brough, Assembly District 73

Senator Pat Bates, Senate District 36

Board Trustee Linda Lindholm, Orange County Board of Education

Gloria Romero, Ret. State Senator/Chair of Senate Education Committee

The Republican Party of Orange County

The Lincoln Club of Orange County

The Orange County Charter Schools PAC

South Orange County Economic Coalition PAC (Econ PAC)

Vice President Jim Reardon, CUSD Board of Trustees

Mayor Frank Ury, City of Mission Viejo

Mayor Tony Beall, City of Rancho Santa Margarita

Mayor Mike Munzing, City of Aliso Viejo

Councilmember Brad McGirr, City of Rancho Santa Margarita

Mayor Pam Patterson, City of San Juan Capistrano

Ellen Addonizio, Former Trustee, Capistrano Unified School District

Wayne Eggleston, Ret. Mayor and Councilmember of San Clemente and Executive Director of The Heritage of San Clemente Foundation

The Orange County Register Editorial Board

President Andrea Ewell, Talega Maintenance Corporation HOA Board
 

Marc Veale

Susie Hatton

Laura Ginn

Debbie Flowers

Jason's Glass Tint

Amanda Earnest

Don and Bev Glasgow

Randy Goeken

Brenda Anderson

Eric Ettlin

Allison Singer

Joey Santley 

Mike and Linda Ray

Dawn Urbanek

Sofia Fligiel

Dawn Urbanek

Sharon Campbell

Jim Shaw

Stacy Reynolds

Barry Reynolds 

 

 Join the campaign by endorsing Laura Ferguson for

CUSD School Board, Trustee Area 3