Greater Orange News Service

eLECTION Watch 2007
_________________________________________________
a Special News Analysis series by Orange Net News /O/N/N

Villa Park City Attorney Len Hampel sided with Villa Park Mayor Rich Ulmer in silencing Villa Park Citizen’s for Honest Government (VPCHG) at this week’s Villa Park City Council meeting. The VPCHG is spearheading a recall effort against Villa Park Councilwomen Deborah Pauly. The group which has also filed complaints with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office served Pauley with a Notice of Intent to Recall.

The group charges Pauly interfered with voters at polling places in the November 2006 election that ousted Councilmember Robert Fauteux and Mayor and Councilmember Patricia Bortle. Citing the Brown Act, Villa Park city officials have maintained at Villa Park Council Meetings that the recall issue is not within the jurisdiction of the city and could not be addressed at Council meetings. Before
VPCHG member Grace Bjornstad spoke during the Public Comments at the meeting she was warned that she could not speak about the recall. Bjornstad characterized her treatment by Ulmer as “rude and disrespectful”.

eLECTION Watch 2007 is produced by
Orange Net News /O/N/N/

Orange Unified Schools DIGEST
a news service of Orange Net News /O/N/N/

PANORAMA ELEMENTARY SCORES A PERFECT
“10-10” IN STATE API SCORES

Panorama Elementary School was the only Orange Unified School to receive the coveted “10-10” API score as the State of California released the 2006 Base Academic Performance Index (API) report on the API Scores of over 9,000 California Public Schools today, Tuesday March 27. The report was designed to allow the public to compare performance at individual schools.

Today’s API Scores are a “recalibration” of the August 2006 report based on the additional information on the new eight grade California Standards Test science assessments and tenth grade life science assessment. The API Score is a composite of scores of the school’s student achievement from several sources. Student results from the Standardized Testing and Reporting Program (STAR) and the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) are used in the API Score calculations. English-Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and History are the subject areas tested.

The API Scores (based on a 1-10 scale) are divided into two parts: the first number is the Statewide Rank; the second number is the Similar Schools Rank. The evenly divided Statewide Rank is designed to be “a quick way of recognizing where a schools API fits in a statewide distribution of API Scores of schools of the same type” * A school with a 10 score would be in the top 10% of API Scores in the state for that type of school (elementary, middle school or high school).

The Similar Schools Rank is similar to the first rank except it “shows a school’s relative placement to 100 similar schools with similar opportunities and challenges”*. The comparison is based on key demographic data. A school with a 10 score here would be in the top 10% of API Scores in their group of 100 similar schools for that type of school (elementary, middle school or high school).

Out of the 41 OUSD school’s ranked, only Panorama Elementary School scored the perfect “10-10”. However three other OUSD did score 10’s in the state wide- rank: Nohl Canyon-10-3; El Rancho Charter M.S.- 10-5; Canyon H.S.-10-7. In addition, El Modena H.S. scored a 10 in the Similar Schools Rank with a 9-10.

Twelve OUSD schools had Statewide Ranks of 9: Anaheim Hills E.S.- 9-2; Chapman Hills E.S.- 9-3; Crescent E.S.- 9-3; Imperial E.S.-9-4; Linda Vista E.S.- 9-8; McPherson Magnet School (K-8) 9-3; Running Springs E.S.- 9-2; Serrano E.S. 9-8; Villa Park E.S.- 9-8; Cerro Villa M.S.- 9-6; El Modena H.S. 9-10; Villa Park H.S. 9-8.

OUSD’s eight state identified Program Improvement Schools had the following scores: Esplanade E.S. (Year 4 as a Program Improvement School) 2-3; Fairhaven E.S. (Year 3 as a Program Improvement School) 1-1; Handy E.S. (Year 3 as a Program Improvement School) 1-1; Lampson E.S. (Year 1 as a Program Improvement School) 3-2; Sycamore E.S. (Year 4 as a Program Improvement School) 2-1; Portola M.S. (Year 5 as a Program Improvement School) 3-4; Yorba Academy of the Arts M.S. (Year 3 as a Program Improvement School) 3-4.

The final Program Improvement School is Prospect E.S. a 3 year Program Improvement School and the Poster School of the controversial OUSD Focus on Results Consultant program. Prospect had a score of 2-1.

FOR MORE INFORATION CLICK ON the blue links:
News release from State Superintendent of Schools Jack O’Connell
http://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr07/yr07rel44.asp

API SCORES INFORMATION SITE (TYPE IN ORANGE):
http://api.cde.ca.gov/reports/page2.asp?subject=API&level=School&submit1=submit

* California Department of Education API SCORES information booklet:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ap/documents/infoguide06b.pdf

Orange Unified Schools Digest is an independent news service of
/O/N/N/

A community service of Orange Net News /O/N/N/

Bailey and Bilodeau get same day in court

Former El Modena High School Principal Brent Bailey and Orange Councilman Denis Bilodeau were both scheduled for court dates on Monday March 26th, both at 8:30 a.m. Bailey was scheduled to appear at the Fullerton North Justice Center for his pre-trial on lewd conduct charges, while Councilman Bilodeau was scheduled to start his jury trial on accusations of removing a political sign of his opponent Carol Rudat in the Santa Ana Courthouse,

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office case management files report the following on the two cases:

Brent Bailey Case Number 07NM01019- Prosecutor Rebecca Olivieri

“BAILEY, BRENT WAYNE
Former Principle of El Modena High School accused of committing lewd acts at a park in Fullerton, Brea Dams Trails. He is accused of masturbating in public in front of a plain clothes police officer.”


Denis Bilodeau Case Number 06CM10870- Prosecutor Scott Zidbeck

“BILODEAU, DENIS ROBERT
Early in the morning of October 29,2006 Bilodeau is accused of removing a political sign for his opponent, Carol Rudat, from the intersection of Chapman Avenue and Hewes Street in Orange. He was observed by Rudat’s daughter, who called police.”


To see the Orange County District Attorney’s Office case management files report
CLICK ON:
http://www.orangecountyda.com/docs/casemanagementlist.pdf

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The March 8th Orange Unified School District meeting had two agenda items placed on the OUSD Agenda by controversial OUSD Trustee Steve Rocco after he received support from OUSD Trustee Rick Ledesma to add the items over the Board majority’s objections. Ledesma had not seen the items when

Board President Kim Nichols at the February 22nd meeting asked if another trustee would support Rocco in placing two agenda items on the OUSD Agenda. Ledesma (who in the past had been blocked from adding agenda items) said he would support Rocco in adding the items.

The March 8th meeting surpassed its sure-to-be-controversial billing with Trustee Rick Ledesma a no-show and Trustee Melisa Smith taking her turn as the latest OUSD Trustee to tangle with Rocco in what amounted to a tense shouting match. Ten community members did speak from the audience with comments ranging from calling Rocco crazy, to calls for a recall election. A few also took the absent Ledesma to task for sponsoring the Rocco items. At one point Smith was shouting at Rocco then stormed out of the meeting (returning a short time later). The day before the Board meeting, Smith sent out the following email “invitation” to her supporters to rally them to attend the meeting:

Subject: An Invitation

Dear Friends,

In 2004 the voters of Orange Unified elected an unknown member of the community as a school board trustee, Steve Rocco. At the time of his election all that was known about him was that he was an eccentric recluse with personal issues related to local government and that he had a complaint against Albertsons, Eastman Kodak and the OC Sheriff’s Department over his arrest for shoplifting.

Since that time Mr. Rocco has used his elected position solely for his own political protests and interests that usually have little or nothing to do with the business of educating children. What began as innocuous has now even more than irritating. He has become increasingly brazen with his delusional conspiracy theories and is now purposely devising opportunities to embroil our district in his outrageous campaign.

This Thursday, March 8, Steve Rocco and Rick Ledesma have introduced two information items on the agenda that are crafted in a way for Rocco to continue his platform of unsubstantiated accusations and wild claims of fraudulent activities that have nothing to do with school board business.

The school board members can only do so much to curb his (and now Rick's) outlandish behavior. They have already censured him which resulted in a law suit which the district prevailed on but that he is appealing. This is costing the district money and time and resources better spent in other ways. But if the public does not hear him and speak out against him then he will continue to create distractions that keep us away from the real business of the district -- our children.

The trustees of our board of education need you to attend tomorrow night's meeting. Only the voting public can truly change their behavior. WE ABSOLUTELY NEED YOUR HELP OR STEVE ROCCO'S OUTRAGEOUS AND FOOLISH BEHAVIOR WILL ULTIMATELY BEGIN TO UNDERMINE AND ERRODE THE GOOD WORKS OF THE DISTRICT. It is only a matter of time before the reputation of the district will be tarnished again. We cannot let that happen. OUSD is now a great place to learn and a great place to work.

I know there will be a million excuses of why people cannot attend tomorrow night, but for the sake of our children we need to set aside whatever else is going on and be present and accounted for so that a message is sent from the voting community that this type of behavior will not be tolerated.

Thank you,
Lissa Smith

Rocco’s first agenda item 13 C was listed as a Minority Report on OUSD, Rocco presented 22 items ranging from alluding to his self-proclaimed molestation episode to his perspective on various OUSD controversies over the last two years. In comments on Rocco’s report, Smith accused Rocco of being “self-serving” and added that it brought her “over-whelming joy” that Rocco’s comments were being broadcast so the community so they could see for themselves Rocco in action. Trustee Kathy Moffat characterized Rocco’s comments as “misguided, false and inappropriate”. Both Moffat and Nichols took exception to Rocco’s statement that some in the community see Richland H.S. as a “dumping grounds” for administrators.

Rocco’s second item, Agenda Item 13 D was about the Rocco conspiracy theory Partnership. It was this item that brought out the most ire from the Board majority and the audience. The Board voted to limit “debate” of the Item 13 D to 20 minutes. Rocco spent over ten minutes of that time in a long-winded introduction to the four pages of information he had to share. Nichols asked Rocco to get to the subject matter that OUSD had jurisdiction over (“subject matter jurisdiction”) as an argument started over the germane nature of Rocco’s comments to OUSD. After the arguing, and with just minutes left of the allotted time, Rocco started with a historical timeline of the Partnership beginning in 1976 which immediately erupted into another controversy between Rocco, Smith and OUSD Attorney Spencer Covert. An exasperated Smith exclaimed “Get to the point or don’t, but if you don’t I won’t be a party to it!” Smith and Rocco continued to argue as Smith started raising her voice as the Nichols and the room watched the drama play out. Smith told Rocco his comments appeared to her to be illegal as she picked up her belongings walked out repeating to Rocco that she “would not be party to it”. Then, with the allotted time over, Trustee Wes Poutsma made a motion to table the item which passed on a 4-1 vote with Rocco voting No.

The Board moved then to Board Comments, as an angry and shaken Nichols proposed changing Board Policy to address items not related to OUSD being placed on the Board Agenda in the future. Before her proposal Nichols lashed out at the absent Ledesma stating in carefully metered wording “I am just appalled that Mr. Ledesma would have the audacity to sign on to an agenda item, specifically Item 13 D, that clearly has no business in Orange Unified. Nothing.”

Hurdles in Proposed Board Policy Changes for March 29th Meeting
At the March 8th OUSD Board Meeting, President Kim Nichols made a suggestion to change the OUSD Board Policies from two sponsors to place an item on the agenda to three sponsors. Action Item 12C of the March 29th Agenda is the first reading of the proposed revisions. The proposed revisions will give the Board President power to decide whether an agenda item is “within the subject matter jurisdiction” of the OUSD Board and add the words “subject matter jurisdiction” to the Board Policies. In the proposal, the Board President’s decision may be appealed to the full Board. Since Rocco was elected, this is the second time the OUSD Board has revised the Board Policies to restrict Rocco’s participation.

OUSD looks to Reorganize for 2007-2008
Faced with declining student enrollment that could have financial implications, Item 13A on the March 29th Agenda will present a report to “plan and use current resources in an effective and efficient way”. Looking toward more local control over resources, the Godley Administration will be studying Special Education programs; expansion of alternative programs (to help keep state Average Daily Attendance monies for students that have been sent out of the district to county programs); and assigning principals at schools with student populations under 450 students additional duties connected to categorical funds.

OTHER MARCH 29th Agenda Items• Item 12 B (page 7) OUSD Legislative Coalition Support for Assembly Bill 168- establishing definition for state required minimum essential facilities.


COMMUNITY DONATIONS
Over $129,000 in community donations to OUSD Schools are listed on pages 18-19 of the March 29th Agenda including: Villa Park H.S. Basketball Boosters- $9,600.00 for salaries; Olive E.S. PTO- $174.00 for technology supplies; School Pride Bingo- El Modena H.S.- $4000.00 Computers; Orange County Community Foundation-California E.S. $1650.00 for supplies.

Digest’s EDUCATIONAL TAX DOLLARS WATCH 2007

“We’re a $220 million dollar business; we’re going to spend the money somewhere.”
-OUSD Trustee Wes Poutsma 9/22/05

Digest’s EDUCATIONAL TAX DOLLARS WATCH 2007:
$ 236,500.00
2007 Consultant/ Speaker Fee Tally:
3/8/07 Dr. Daggett Speaker Fee $ 9,000
Total $ 9,000

2007 Attorney Fee Tally:

1/18/07 Parker & Covert (1/07 to 6/07) $175,000
2/08/07 Miller, Brown, and Dannis $ 7, 500
2/22/07 Parker & Covert $ 45,000
Total $227,500

2007 Administrative Conference/Travel: hidden since 6/8/06*

*JUNE 8th, 2006 Trustees VOTE to Give OUSD Superintendent the power to APPROVE Travel Requests taking this item OUT of the PUBLIC AGENDA

Total for Watched Tax Dollars approved in 2006: $ 849,717.00*
2006 Consultant Fee Tally: Total $176,400
2006 Attorney Fee Tally: Total Approved $655,000
2006 Administrative Conference/Travel: Total $ 18,317 *
* JUNE 8th, 2006 Trustees VOTE to Give OUSD Superintendent the power to
APPROVE OUSD Travel Requests taking this item OUT of the PUBLIC AGENDA

Total for Watched Tax Dollars approved in 2005: $ 978,300.00:
Total 2005 Conference Administrator/Board Fees: $ 7,500.00
2005 Attorney Fee Tally: $730,600.00
Total Watched 2005 OUSD Consultant spending: $ 270,200.00


Next OUSD Board Meeting Thursday March 29, 2007.
For more information
CLICK ON: http://www.orangeusd.k12.ca.us/board/pdf/agenda_032907.pdf

OUSD CLOSED SESSION STARTS 6:30 PM on 3/29/07 Regular Session: 7:30 pm

For more information call the OUSD Superintendent’s office at 714-628-4040
For budgeting questions call Business Services at 714-628-4015
Orange Unified Schools Digest is an independent news service of
/O/N/N/
Orange_NetNews@yahoo.com
“Independent, Local, News and Viewpoints”

Metro TALK

A community service of the Greater Orange Communities Organization

THE REAL LIFESTYLES OF OPA
Move over “real” housewives of Coto, surf brats from Laguna, and high school students of “The O.C”, Orange County has a new reality series that is focused on the Greater Orange Communities own Orange Park Acres. O.K. maybe it’s not syndicated yet, but starting this Spring you can get all the local reality you need from the comfort of your own LCD-TV.


Starting this Wednesday March 21st, 2007 at 7:00 p.m., Time-Warner Cable Channel 6 will be broadcasting The Orange Park Acres Lifestyle Series. Produced by the Orange Acres History Committee, the series will document the Orange Park Acre community history, social events and community activities. The over 30 shows will include everything from the OPA Neighborhood Tour, to the Western Horse Show. From Denim and Diamonds, to the Pancake Breakfast, the series will feature the many OPA Community events. The people and organizations of OPA will also be featured. From the OPA Board of Directors and Trails Committee, to the OPA Women’s League the series will also document the community of people of OPA.

For a complete look at the completed and planned programs of The Orange Park Acres Lifestyle Series CLICK ON: http://www.orangeparkacres.org/
Then CLICK ON Special Events and follow the link.

On-Line Registration Now Available for
Steve Ambriz Legacy Golf Tournament
Local Golfers, and friends and associates of Steve Ambriz now have the option to register online for the April 23rd 2007 Steve Ambriz Legacy Golf Tournament at www.oplfoundation.org and clicking on the "donate now" button. Golfers may also register by calling 714-288-2404 or emailing Event Coordinator Marsha Zembower at mzembower@socal.rr.com.

The Tournament is also looking for community sponsors. The net proceeds raised from the Tournament underwrites the Steve Ambriz Storytime Room in the expanded Orange Public Library & History Center, scheduled to re-open on April 21st, 2007.

For more information on the Steve Ambriz Legacy Golf Tournament
CLICK ON:
http://www.cityoforange.org/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=505
or
http://greaterorange.blogspot.com/2007/02/metro-talk.html

Metro TALK is a community service of the
: Greater Orange Communities Organization:
:GoCo:
GreaterOrangeCO@gmail.com

The Vernal Equinox, the first day of Spring, falls on March 20th, 2007. For more information on this astrological event CLICK ON:

The Vernal Equinox is March 20, 2007

OCFA Photo Windy Ridge Fire
Windy Ridge Fire Contained

Arson Suspected

The Windy Ridge Fire was declared contained Tuesday after burning 3 square miles of brush and damaging two homes and two outbuildings. Three firefighters also suffered minor injuries. Anaheim Police are focusing their arson investigation on a white Honda Civic that was found allegedly with license plates stolen from Riverside last month.

Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle issued the following statement:
“On behalf of the entire Anaheim City Council, I want to express my sincere thanks to all of the brave firefighters and police officers from all over Southern California who helped keep our City safe during the fierce Windy Ridge fire. Your diligent work on the front lines kept hundreds of Anaheim and Orange residents and their property safe, without major incident or injury. We are grateful for your commitment, honored by your service and inspired by your bravery.”

Fire authorities are warning the Windy Ridge Fire could just be the start of one of the worst fire seasons on record. (CLICK ON: Fire Fighting News: http://www.firefightingnews.com/article.cfm?articleID=27402 ) .

Operating under a Unified Command of the Orange County Fire Authority, the Anaheim City Fire and the Orange Fire Department, the following agencies participated in the fire fighting efforts:
• Anaheim Police Department
• California Department of Corrections
• California Department of Forestry
• California Office of Emergency Services
• Gas Company
• Irvine Ranch Water District
• Los Angeles County Fire Department
• Los Angeles City Fire Department
• Los Angeles County Operational Area-C (Mixed City Fire Departments)
• Los Angeles County Operational Area-G (Mixed City Fire Departments)
• Orange County Harbors Beaches and Parks--Irvine Regional Park
• Orange County Operational Area (Mixed City Fire Departments)
• Orange County Sheriff's Department
• Orange Police Department
• Redding City Fire Department
• Santa Cruz City Fire Department
• United States Forest Service

• Anaheim Hills’ Windy Ridge Fire 80% Contained
• Mandatory evacuations end
• South bound traffic on 241 between the 91 and Santiago down to two lanes
• OUSD Schools remain open

City of Orange FIRE UPDATES CLICK ON:
http://www.cityoforange.org/

City of Anaheim FIRE UPDATES CLICK ON:
http://www.anaheim.net/

Full containment of the 3 square mile, 2000 plus acres Anaheim Hills’ Windy Ridge Fire is expected early Tuesday morning as firefighters continue their battle against the wind whipped flames. Residents have returned to their homes after Sunday’s evacuation orders were cancelled. Only residents are allowed to return to the fire areas.

All Orange Unified Schools remained open with restrictions on physical activities due to the heavy smoke and ash in the Greater Orange Communities.

SigAlerts continue on the 241 due to the fire activity with some south bound lanes closed south of the 91 Freeway.


For up-to-date information CLICK ON: http://www.topix.net/city/orange-ca

KTTV –TV Photo

Metro TALK


A community service of the Greater Orange Communities Organization

241 Freeway Closed South bound from 91 Freeway Until Dawn
(see below)

Red Cross sets up El Modena H.S. as Human and Animal Evacuation Center

OPA Evacuated: East of Meads, North of Ampola

Serrano Heights; Mayberry Ranch; and Park Ridge under Mandatory Evacuation

Anaheim Hills’ Windy Ridge Fire story goes National

241 Closed South bound from 91 Until Dawn
241 South at 91 SigAlert - Lane Closure 10:11 PM
Thomas Guide Map Coordinates: Page 741, Grid 7E
CHP Unit on Scene 10:11 PM
Duration: Until Daylight Hours on Monday, 03 /12/07^ 10:12 PM
Remarks: Due to Fire-Fighting Efforts in Association With the "windy Ridge/anaheim Hills" Fire^ 10:12 PM
Closed: South State Route-241 from State Route-91 (riverside Fwy) to *santiago Canyon Rd* (city of Orange)^ 10:13 PM
Closed: *eb 91 Transition to South 241 *^ 10:14 PM
Closed: *wb 91 Transition to South 241 *^ 10:14 PM

For City of Orange FIRE UPDATES CLICK ON: http://www.cityoforange.org/

For City of Anaheim FIRE UPDATES CLICK ON:
http://www.anaheim.net/

The gusting 35 mph Santa Anna winds fanned a fire in Anaheim Hills on Sunday that became national news on both Reuters and AP news services. Local authorities suspect an abandoned car (possibly stolen) on fire near the 241 Eastern Transportation Corridor toll plaza at Windy Ridge Road, for igniting over 2000 acres by posting time. As of Sunday March 11th evening, only 30% of the fire was contained. Monday is expected to bring more windy hot conditions.

Two storage structures were damaged in the Hidden Hills community and two homes had roof damage Hundreds of residents evacuated from hundreds of homes in the Windy Ridge Road area, OPA, Serrano Heights; Mayberry Ranch and Park Ridge. Hundreds of firefighters from the Orange County Fire Authority and the Anaheim Fire Department battled the blaze beginning at 8 a.m. Two firefighters are reported with minor injuries. No other injuries have been reported.


For up to date information CLICK ON: http://www.topix.net/city/orange-ca

Orange Councilman Jon Dumitru Champions
Assemblyman Spitzer’s Steve Ambriz Law
Jon Dumitru posted the latest on Assemblyman Todd Spitzer’s introduction of the Steve Ambriz Legislation increasing the penalty for vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated from 4 years to life.

To see the Dumitru post, CLICK ON:
http://jdaroundorange.blogspot.com/2007/03/steves-law-introduced-in-state.htmlFor more Information Links (CLICK ON blue links):

Steve Ambriz Memorial Website:| http://www.steveambriz.org/

2007 Steve Ambriz Legacy Golf Tournament Information:
http://www.cityoforange.org/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=505

Orange Council Member Jon Dumitru’s Blog Report on Sara Lynn Wards court plea:
http://jdaroundorange.blogspot.com/2006/07/sara-ward-i-am-not-guilty.html


Black, White and Orange All Over Gala
set for March 24th
The Orange Community Foundation pays tribute to the Sisters of St. Joseph at the Foundations signature event, the Black, White and Orange All Over fundraising event. The social event of the year for the Greater Orange Communities as a whole, the event supports the Foundations’ program development that has given the community such programs as the Hobbs Community Scholarship and Grant program and the Foundation Games.

This year the Foundation will pay tribute to the Sisters of St. Joseph for their commitment to the Greater Orange Communities through their efforts for social justice, education, healthcare and social services.

The Black, White and Orange All Over gala will be held at the Grove of Anaheim and includes live entertainment, dinner, and live and silent auctions. Plus, all the hobnobbing with the gala crowd from throughout the Greater Orange Communities. Sponsorship of tables and tribute ads for the program are available.

For more information on the gala, its sponsors, and forms for all the gala opportunities CLICK ON:
http://www.communityfoundationoforange.org/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.cgi?file=cfo&report=rptShowPage&ID=Gala



Metro TALK is a community service of the
: Greater Orange Communities Organization:
:GoCo:

Orange Unified Schools DIGEST
a news service of Orange Net News /O/N/N/

March 5- 9th School Administrator Week
The Orange Unified School Board at their February 22nd , 2007 regular meeting joined the California State Legislature and school boards across the state by declaring March 5-9th School Administrator Week.

In declaring the annual School Administrators Week as a reminder of the contributions that school administrators make, the California Assembly declared:

“There are approximately 15,000 certificated and classified school administrators. Nearly 60 percent of these administrators are principals and vice principals who provide direct support for the educational programs at school sites.”

For more information on California School Administrators CLICK ON: http://www.acsa.org/

Villa Park Elementary School Restoration
The OUSD Board also received an update on the default of the lease by the Villa Park Elementary School Restoration Corporation. OUSD staff reported that they had been contacted by the VPESRC prior to the OUSD sending the Letter of Default agreeing that the lease should be terminated. At the March 8th OUSD Board Meeting, the OUSD Trustees will receive a final report on terminating the lease to the VPESRC.

Board Comments from 2/22/07 Meeting

• Trustee Kathy Moffat referenced another newspaper article on schools in other districts being refurbished and looked forward to doing the same in OUSD.
• Trustee Steve Rocco explained that he was thrown out of his court hearing on the Rocco Censure because he was wearing his trademark black dark glasses and cap. Rocco explained about why he was continuing his Censure battle.
• Trustee Wes Poutsma reminded Rocco that if his side lost, Rocco would be paying the district for legal expenses.

Rocco Items on 3/8/07 OUSD Agenda
Hang on to your black caps. Trustee Steve Rocco has two Information Items on the March 8th OUSD Agenda. Item 13 C, titled the Minority Board Evaluation and item 13 D a report on Rocco’s “nemesis”- The Partnership (also called the “Unholy Trilogy” of Government, Corporations and Education” in the agenda).

When Rocco complained he could not get items on the agenda, OUSD Board President Kim Nichols asked if a second trustee would support Rocco. Trustee Rick Ledesma (who has in the past been denied by the current majority the ability to add agenda items) stated that he would support Rocco placing an item on the agenda. Ledesma has made it clear in the past when dealing with Rocco, he respects the trustee seat that Rocco occupies and takes the stance that as long as the community allows Rocco to keep his seat the OUSD Board must treat Rocco as a fully empowered trustee.

Ledesma’s respect of the trustee position Rocco holds continues to be at odds with the Board majority as Rocco continues to antagonize and draw emotional reactions from the other OUSD Trustees and the OUSD Administration. That clearly is the case with the March 8th OUSD Agenda. In an apparent message of distain, Rocco’s two agenda items (typed in Rocco’s trademark style on a manual typewriter) are just photocopied and added as attachments to the agenda (see Agenda Page 30 and Agenda Page 32) which has never before been done when a trustee has added an agenda item.

March 8 Meeting Other Items
Agenda Item 12 A- a Resolution of Support of Senate Bill 155- Online Classroom
Agenda Item 12 B- 2nd Interim Financial Report
Agenda Item 14 E- As OUSD starts a slow modernization program; it is gaining experience in the process. Change Orders on the Prospect Elementary modernization project have resulted in 5.03% in added costs and 21 days of additional work added.
Agenda Item 14 I - $9,000 for speaker Dr. Daggett to give a speech to the August 8th OUSD Leadership Conference. (Agenda page 59- International Center for Educational Leadership).


Digest’s EDUCATIONAL TAX DOLLARS WATCH 2007
“We’re a $220 million dollar business; we’re going to spend the money somewhere.”
-OUSD Trustee Wes Poutsma 9/22/05

Digest’s EDUCATIONAL TAX DOLLARS WATCH 2007:$ 236,500.00

2007 Consultant/ Speaker Fee Tally:
3/8/07 Dr. Daggett Speaker Fee $ 9,000
Total $ 9,000

2007 Attorney Fee Tally:

1/18/07 Parker & Covert (1/07 to 6/07) $175,000
2/08/07 Miller, Brown, and Dannis $ 7, 500
2/22/07 Parker & Covert $ 45,000
Total $227,500

2007 Administrative Conference/Travel: hidden since 6/8/06*

*JUNE 8th, 2006 Trustees VOTE to Give OUSD Superintendent the power to APPROVE Travel Requests taking this item OUT of the PUBLIC AGENDA

Total for Watched Tax Dollars approved in 2006: $849,717.00*
2006 Consultant Fee Tally: Total $176,400
2006 Attorney Fee Tally: Total Approved $655,000
2006 Administrative Conference/Travel: Total $ 18,317 *

* JUNE 8th, 2006 Trustees VOTE to Give OUSD Superintendent the power to
APPROVE OUSD Travel Requests taking this item OUT of the PUBLIC AGENDA

Total for Watched Tax Dollars approved in 2005: $978,300.00:
Total 2005 Conference Administrator/Board Fees: $ 7,500.00
2005 Attorney Fee Tally: $730,600.00
Total Watched 2005 OUSD Consultant spending: $ 270,200.00


Next OUSD Board Meeting Thursday March 8, 2007. For more information
CLICK ON: http://www.orangeusd.k12.ca.us/board/calendar.asp
OUSD CLOSED SESSION STARTS 6:30 PM on 3/8/07 Regular Session: 7:30 pm

For more information call the OUSD Superintendent’s office at 714-628-4040
For budgeting questions call Business Services at 714-628-4015
Orange Unified Schools Digest is an independent news service of
/O/N/N/