VOTERS MUST QUESTION THE MOTIVES OF INCUMBENT CUSD TRUSTEES

WHO ARE FUNDED BY SPECIAL INTERESTS

 

Last week, the California PTAs adopted a Resolution supporting and advocating for CUSD's Measure M, the $1.8 billion bond measure (once interest and fees are included). 

This week CUSD Trustee Amy Hanacek, who is running for reelection against Wendy Shrove, advertised broadly how happy she was that the PTA at San Clemente High School is behind the bond measure. Remember this is the PTA board, not a vote by all of its  members, or teachers for that matter. Trustee Hanacek is pushing the bond heavily. Trustee Hanacek is funded by the teachers' union. Remember a couple months ago at a school board meeting, the union president pressed the school board to adopt the district-wide bond in lieu of smaller bonds by area because the union president told the school board it would be too difficult to form 7 different political action committees and ensure all the bonds are passed.

Ask yourself this election season, just who are the union-endorsed trustees? Of course, those who voted to put this billion dollar bond on the ballot. Trustee Hanacek received $10,000 initially when the union endorsed her in April and another $5,000 not long after voting to place the bond measure on the November ballot.  In fact, look back at the meetings leading to the bond approval, Trustee Alpay initially called the bond a giant slush fund; Trustee Hanacek called the bond a conceived economic stimulus (think of how many consultants CUSD will hire if the bond passes.  If you want an idea, just look at how many consultants have been hired by CUSD just to prepare this bond); and Trustee McNicholas is right, the bond seeks way too much money.  Notwithstanding the reservations they had, all the trustees except for Jim Reardon voted for the big bond as directed by the teachers union. In addition to the $15,000 given to Hanacek so far; the union has given Pritchard (also running for reelection) $15,000.

Voters need to pay attention and follow the special interest money and question what the district plans to do with all other revenue sources the school district automatically receives every year totally $430 million for its annual budget.  This money keeps rolling in whether voters decide to tax themselves and their grandchildren more for the next 35 years or not.  How about demanding CUSD instill better fiscal prudence of the monies they do get and making better decisions to prioritize the allocation of said taxpayer funds in its annual budget? Did you know San Clemente taxpayers alone send over $50 million in property tax dollars to CUSD every year? What has CUSD done with this money to even begin fixing San Clemente's older schools? For over 15 years, nothing.  The union fought for this mega bond, but ask yourself what has the union done all these years to cry out for the kids to fix their facilities and make for a more quality education experience? Remember, the teachers union is not giving its anointed candidates big bucks to do what’s right; it’s giving the candidates big bucks to do what it (the CUEA union) wants.

I see CUSD's bond measure as analogous to a billion dollar bailout of failed leadership. Why? Because I've attended school board meetings regularly for years and I've seen the excessive and illegal over-taxation of the people who pay Mello-Roos, which my fellow taxpayers and I fought for an entire year to remedy. I've seen the gross waste of ALL taxpayer's dollars. I've seen greed and conflicts of interests. I've seen an unbelievable number of consultant contracts -- some questionable for services involving school districts far, far away, and even duplicative contracts for the same thing on the same meeting agenda. These and the tens of thousands involved each time the contracts appear on every single school board agenda is very concerning. This money could be spent in the classrooms to reduce class sizes, restore programs and fix facilities, but that is not what is being done. I've seen the board talk about millions as if they were talking about pocket change. They show complete disregard for taxpayers' hard-earned dollars. I've sat in shock and utter disbelief when board members shame parents just for speaking out or proposing educational choice, including charter schools. I've seen parents be shooshed in the audience for clapping and cheering for speakers. I've also seen them be threatened to be removed from the meeting room, while those who support the board have been given special treatment and can clap and cheer all they want without being reprimanded.  I've watched the school board announce they plan to sue two Mayors in south OC for opposing their bond measure and for spearheading a letter signed by all other trusted south OC Mayors in protection of their taxpayers. I've seen CUSD play games with friends seeking public records requests, telling some that their requests will be so voluminous it will cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars if they want the records.

This majority union-controlled school board (6 of the 7 members) has behaved at times as if it is above the law. It will stop at nothing to get more, more, more of our tax dollars. It has hired consultants and lawyers regularly to fight the very people they are supposed to serve, just like they are doing now targeting these two mayors for calling out their billion dollar scheme for what it is: a slush fund with no specificity or guarantee that the projects will ever be built.   

Without trust, transparency and accountability, overpaying for a bond that is haphazardly compiled that is nothing more than a slush fund is not helping children. CUSD needs to sharpen their pencil and come back to the voters with a better plan.
 
I plan to VOTE NO on Measure M.  I hope you will do the same. And, please vote for me for CUSD School Board. I promise to restore trust, transparency and leadership to CUSD. I also promise to bring much needed collaboration and integrity to the school board.

Best,

Laura Ferguson
Candidate for CUSD School Board Trustee Area 3