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  • Thursday, May 31, 2007

     

    BAILEY Changes Lewd Conduct plea to GUILTY

    SPECIAL REPORT
    a community service of the Orange Communication System /OCS/

    Ex-Principal BRENT BAILEY Changes Lewd Conduct plea to GUILTY

    Brent Bailey, the former Principal of OUSD’s El Modena High School who was forced to resign after his arrest on misdemeanor charges of engaging in public lewd conduct, pleaded guilty today at a pre-trial hearing. Bailey had originally pled not guilty in his initial arraignment in February.

    Bailey was cited and released at Fullerton’s Brea Dam Park in December 2006. Undercover officers reported that Bailey was masturbating in public. His sentence includes a requirement that he stays away from the Brea Park Dam as well as complete an AIDS education classes and a Sex Offenders class. Bailey also received three years probation. Bailey will not have to register as a sex offender.

    It took a month for the Orange Unified School District to be informed about Bailey’s arrest. Bailey was immediately placed on leave by OUSD. He resigned a week later. OUSD replaced Bailey with Interim Principal Janet Hayes before hiring the current El Modena Principal John Briquelet.

    TO VIEW OTHER STORIES ON BRENT BAILEY FROM OTHER MEDIA OUTLETS AROUND THE STATE, CLICK ON THE ORANGE NEWS AND WIRE LINKS ABOVE POWERED BY TOPIX

     

    ORANGE COMMUNITY EXPO at THE BLOCK of ORANGE

    Metro TALK ______________:GoCo:
    A community service of the
    Greater Orange Communities Organization


    ORANGE COMMUNITY EXPO at
    THE BLOCK of ORANGE

    The Orange Police Department will hold the 18th Annual Community Organizations and Public Services (C.O.P.S.) Expo this Saturday June 2nd, 2007 from 11 A.M to 5 P.M. at The Block at Orange. This year the C.O.P.S. Expo is boasting a “fun, festive, and interactive” atmosphere and if past years are any indication, we are sure they will deliver just that!

    The C.O.P.S. Expo is free and features entertainment, exhibits, demonstrations, kid’s activities, and hourly drawings for door prizes. The C.O.P.S. Expo focuses on public and community agencies specializing in health, safety, youth and family services.

    The C.O.P.S. Expo takes place at The Block at Orange, 20 City Boulevard West, near the intersection of Chapman and City Drive south in the City of Orange

    For more information CLICK ON:
    EXPO

    For Directions to THE BLOCK CLICK ON:
    THE BLOCK


    VILLA PARK to collect E-WASTE

    An E-Waste Collection and Shred day will be held at the Villa Park City Hall on Saturday June 2nd from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. In addition, an hour long presentation on Preventing Identity Theft will begin at 9:30 a.m. For more information contact the Villa Park City Hall at 714-998-1500.

    Hearts on Carts Senior Citizen Center Fundraiser
    The Orange Senior Citizen Center is hosting its 9th Annual Hearts on Carts Golf Tournament to benefit the Center’s Meals on Wheels Program on June 18th, 2007 at the Alta Vista Country Club.

    The fun includes: 18 rounds of golf; a box lunch; awards dinner silent and live auction; range balls; a $10,000 hole-in-one cash prize; a putting contest; …plus much more! The cost is $150 per golfer and is open to all skill levels. For more information or to register call Keith Reagan at (714) 538-9633 or by email at regan@orangeseniorcenter.org .

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

    Tuesday, May 22, 2007

     

    Orange Unified Taxpayers pay to FOCUS ON POSTERS

    SPECIAL REPORT
    A community EDITORIAL of Orange Net News /O/N/N/

    OUSD TAXPAYERS PAY for SIX FIGURE PAY ADMINSTRATORS to FOCUS ON POSTERS

    The taxpayers of Orange Unified School district have shelled out millions for a consultant program called OUSD’s Focus on Results that this week as a grand finale had high-paid administrators and out-of the-classroom teachers making “posters” for the end of the year “celebration” held at Chapman University on Wednesday May 22nd, 2007. The participants will then “tour” the posters and later have a taxpayer provided lunch.

    The controversial program spent scarce educational tax resources as it spent years in search of a purpose. A top OUSD administrator once explained the program to OUSD Trustees as comparable to “marriage encounter training”. A misinformed OUSD Trustee Wes Poutsma voted to continue dumping tax dollars into the program under the impression it “taught kids to read” as he uttering his now infamous September 22, 2005 statement:
    “Where a $220 million dollar business; we’re going to have to spend our money somewhere”.

    The problematic program began as one of OUSD’s elementary school principals worked as a Senior Consultant for the Focus on Results corporation and recommended the program to a top district official. When a Special Investigative Series by Orange Net News (see links below) exposed the conflict of interest, the OUSD Principal-Consultants name was taken off the for-profit firms website. Other scandal-like problems continued.

    Orange Net News also exposed that despite the millions of taxpayer provided funding(i.e. “our money”), the OUSD for-profit consultant program photocopied and distributed copyrighted educational writings with the Focus on Results corporate logo without permission or payment to the owners of the material. The same year funding was shifted to OUSD federal training funding, a Special Education teacher was told by a top OUSD Administrator that OUSD had no funding for Special Education field trip buses because the Special Education Department was using its funds for teacher training.

    Eventually the OUSD Focus on Results program settled into a research-lacking practice of the “guided walk-through” that has high-priced bureaucrats and out-of the classroom teachers (who leave their students with substitutes) visiting every classroom in a school for less than 5 minutes looking for “evidence of learning” (especially checking out the bulletin boards). The wasteful “bulletin board” checks are now being replaced in this year’s grand finale called the “OUSD Design Tour” which is looking at posters each school has created.

    In a May 7th letter to OUSD Principals, retired OUSD Administrator Fran Roney, now a consultant working on the OUSD Focus on Results program, spends two of the letter’s three paragraphs explaining how to make the posters and what they will do with them. The other paragraph makes the OUSD Focus on Results program take credit for other practices that are totally unrelated to Focus on Results such as Standards Alignment, pacing guides and other research based practices that have nothing to do with the OUSD Focus on Results program. These very basic educational reform practices have been implemented around the country by thousands of school districts without spending scarce educational resources on bulletin board checks and poster making.

    The May 7th Roney Focus on Results letter states:

    “As part of our celebration, we would like each school, with the assistance of their ILT [Focus on Results Instructional Leadership Team] to create a poster that exemplifies one of the success around the 9 Focus on Results Expectations that your school is most proud of….”

    The letter includes the Poster Guidelines for the $2 million taxpayer supported posters:

    “Poster Guidelines:

    Put school name at top of poster.
    Identify and put on the poster the FOR Expectations your school chose.
    Poster is not to exceed 24” x 36”
    Use school data, photos, anything that supports success
    Use markers, stickers, paints, etc.
    The posters will be secured around the room, so make sure everything on the poster is secure.
    Poster board will be delivered to your school for you to use if you would like.


    The letter goes on to explain to make sure someone arrives early to hang the poster. It explains how “one of our members” will show where to hang the poster and…”provide you with painter’s tape to hang it”.

    What are all of the 2 million-dollar-educational-tax-supported posters for?
    The letter explains:

    “All of the posters will be part of the OUSD Design Tour …”

    So on May 23rd, while every OUSD Administrator and at least four teachers from every school are on the OUSD “POSTER” Design Tour and having a lunch at Chapman University, thousands of OUSD Students are left with a substitute (who will also be paid by OUSD tax dollars).Meanwhile, OUSD taxpayers are left to pay for the bill with scarce educational tax dollars.

    Or to put it another way as Trustee Wes Poutsma commented as the OUSD Board voted to approve another year to waste hundreds of thousands of scarce educational tax dollars…

    “Where a $220 million dollar business; we’re going to have to spend our money somewhere”.

    FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE THE
    OUSD FOCUS ON RESULTS SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS:


    PART 1

    PART 2

    PART 3

    PART 4

    PART 5

    PART 6


    SPECIAL REPORT

    Is produced by Orange Net News /O/N/N/
    OrangeNetNews@verizon.net
    “Independent, Local, News and Viewpoints”

    Ecast on the
    INTERNET COMMUNITY GROUP i/))) cg
    A 21st Century Communications System
    For more information on the current issues of defending media freedom in the electronic world visit
    The ELECTRONIC FRONTIER FOUNDATION link: www.eff.org

    Orange Communication System /OCS/
    and its News family
    Orange Net News /O/N/N/ eLECTION Watch 2006 Metro Talk Metro Views
    Community Update Orange Unified Schools Digest GREATER ORANGE NEWS EBLOG
    Ecast on the
    Internet Community Group i/)))cg
    A 21st Century Communications System

    Monday, May 21, 2007

     

    Villa Park H.S. Student wins $60,000 Elks Scholarship

    COMMUNITY UPDATE
    a news service of Orange Net News /O/N/N/

    Elks National Foundation Announces Top-Winners in Most Valuable Student Contest!

    /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
    The Elks National Foundation will award a total of $2.216 million to 500 national finalists through its Most Valuable Student scholarship program. The two first-place recipients each receive $60,000, the two second-place recipients each receive $40,000
    and the two third-place winners each receive $20,000, over four years. The
    494 fourth- place finishers receive $4,000 scholarships.

    Over 15,000 students nationwide began the journey toward educational financial freedom last January. Five hundred applicants earned a spot in the national finals after advancing past other outstanding high school seniors at the local, district and state levels. When all the scores were tallied, Alice Chuang of Orange, CA, and Cortney VanOstran of Joplin, MO, earned first-place finishes. Applicants are judged on scholarship, leadership and financial need.

    The 2007 top-six winners are:

    Alice T. Chuang, Villa Park High School, Orange, CA $60,000

    Cortney A. VanOstran, Joplin High School , Joplin, MO
    $60,000

    Lei'La R. Bryant, School of the Osage High School,
    Lake Ozark, MO $40,000

    Andrew T. Timberlake, Mountain Brook High School Birmingham, AL $40,000

    Raagini Jawa, Presentation of Mary Academy Palistow, NH $20,000

    Will R. Fletcher, Hellgate High School Missoula, MT $20,000
    The Elks National Foundation is committed to providing America's students with the opportunity to attain an excellent education. That's why the Foundation annually awards $3.2 million in scholarships to tomorrow's leaders. It's also why our Most Valuable Student first- and second-place awards are the largest scholarships provided by any major fraternal or service organization. A complete list of the 2007 recipients is available online at ELKS ENF SCHOLARS

    http://www.elks.org/enf/scholars/NewsStory.cfm?StoryID=35525&CFID=1782154&CFTOKEN=30962881

    Sunday, May 20, 2007

     

    Orange Unified’s Rocco told by former Opponent he will run in 2008

    ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
    a news service of Orange Net News /O/N/N/ Independent insight into OUSD

    Orange Unified’s Rocco told by former Opponent
    I’m running against you in 2008


    At the May 10th Orange Unified School Board meeting, most of the now standard bantering about, from, or towards, OUSD Trustee Steve Rocco took place during the Public Comment section of the OUSD Agenda.

    The meeting started out with Rocco missing from his new seat on the rearranged dais (decorated with a “No Trespassing” sign) as he sat in the audience. At the April 30, 2007 meeting, Rocco had asked to be moved to the end seat (now occupied by Trustee Kathy Moffat) to be away from Trustees Wes Poutsma and John Ortega who Rocco has had heated exchanges (one of which was censored out of the OUSD cable broadcast to the community on orders of Dr. Godley). OUSD Board President Kim Nichols at that meeting told Rocco that she would decide the seating arrangement. May 10th, Rocco found himself moved to the center of the dais with Trustee Rick Ledesma seated to his right and an absent Trustee John Ortega seated to his left.

    During the May 10th Agenda’s Public Comments section, Rocco filled out a Blue Comment card and spoke from the public podium to address the Board. Rocco used his three minutes to complain about the new seating arrangement placing him next to Ortega and calling the district “the Voodoo Unified School District” and referring to OUSD Superintendent Dr. Thomas Godley as “Witch Doctor Godley”.

    After addressing the Board, Rocco then took his seat and was followed in the Public Comments section by community activist Phil Martinez. Martinez was defeated by Rocco for the OUSD Area 6 Trustee Seat. Martinez attacked Rocco for not representing Trustee Area 6 and told Rocco he would be running against him in 2008 (Martinez had recently ran for the Orange City Council). As Rocco interrupted Martinez, Board President Kim Nichols continued to rule Rocco out of order and reminded Rocco he had had his three minutes of Public Comments and it was now Mr. Martinez turn.

    Other public speakers included Former Villa Park Councilman Robert Fauteux thanking OUSD for having Portola Middle School attend Law Day at the Orange County Civic Center and parents from Orange High School (including Phil Martinez) asking the Board to reconsider reassigning popular Orange High School Assistant Principal Jim D’ Agostino to Villa Park H.S.

    Orange Education Foundation –In or Out?
    Agenda Item 13B on the May 24th OUSD Agenda is a discussion on changing the Orange Education Foundation (OEF) bylaws taking OUSD Board Members off the Foundation Board. Over the past 10 years the Orange Education Foundation has provided an outstanding service to the community giving over $250,000 to OUSD as gifts, min-grants and to support such programs as Class Size Reductions. It has also taken heat for the Board like the controversial move when the OEF held in account $14,000 raised for music classes. That money was then turned over to the Board and caused a split in the community. More recently as part of the Board’s Strategic Plan, OFE hosted a Business Leaders Breakfast in April 2007 where OUSD Superintendent Dr. Godley and Assemblyman Huff presented the business community with information (reportedly no Board member was in attendance). Last month, the OEF provided $4,000 in gifts for OUSD Employees of the Year.

    While OUSD Board members rarely attend (no OUSD Board member has attended for over a year) Dr. Godley and the other OUSD Superintendents have regularly attended. Community watchers are unsure what the May agenda item is about and sources close to the OEF state they were caught off guard about the item. Some long time Board watchers are speculating that part of the new community partnerships component of the OUSD Board’s Strategic Plan may be a more closely controlled fundraising foundation similar to the Legislative Coalition. As the OFE stands now it is a completely independent body. The direction of the discussion at the meeting may be a key. Is the Orange Education Foundation –In or Out?


    May 24th OUSD AGENDA OTHER ITEMS:
    Agenda Item 12C- Chapman University is appealing paying developer fees on the new athletic facilities it is building
    Agenda Item 13A- Public Hearing for Renewal of the Charter for El Ranch Charter School
    Agenda Item 13B- Orange Education Foundation- A discussion on the OEF Bylaws and the question: Should OUSD Trustees also serve on the OEF?

    COMMUNITY DONATIONS to LOCAL SCHOOLS
    Edison International-$120 supplies to La Veta E.S.; J. Hanna-$307 supplies California E.S.; McPherson ASB-$330 for substitute salaries; Target Corp- $190- Sycamore E.S. transportation costs; El Modena H.S. Baseball Boosters-$6350 in Stipend Salaries; Irvine Co- Lampson E.S. Pennies for Prevention Program; Villa Park H.S. Girl’s Softball Boosters-$1600 salary stipend. For a complete list of community donations see Agenda page 12.


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

    INSIDE’s EDUCATIONAL TAX DOLLARS WATCH 2007:$ 294,090.00 Total

    2007 Consultant/ Speaker Fee Tally:
    4/30/07 Debra Ford Speaker Fee $ 4,090
    4/30/07 Danny Brassell Speaker Fee $ 3,500
    3/8/07 Dr. Daggett Speaker Fee $ 9,000
    Total $ 16,590

    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
    5/10/07 Miller, Brown and Dannis $ 50,000
    Total $277,500

    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 May 10, 2007.
    For more information
    CLICK ON: http://www.orangeusd.k12.ca.us/board/pdf/agenda_052407.pdf

    OUSD CLOSED SESSION STARTS 6:30 PM on 5/24/07 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 INSIDE
    Independent insight into OUSD

    is an independent news service of /O/N/N/
    Orange_NetNews@yahoo.com
    “Independent Local Insight”

    Thursday, May 17, 2007

     

    PBS-TV Huell Howser "Road Trip" visits Orange

    Metro TALK ______________:GoCo:
    A community service of the
    Greater Orange Communities Organization


    Road Trip makes an Orange Stop

    The popular PBS-TV program Road Trip, featuring animated host Huell Howser, makes a stop in Orange two nights this month: on Sunday May 20th at 8:00 p.m. on KODC-TV Huntington Beach; and Sunday May 27th at 7:00 p.m. on KCET-TV Los Angeles.

    The program will feature popular Old Towne favorites like breakfast at Watson’s and a tour of the Plaza featuring a stop at A&P Collectables. Other stops include Pitcher Park and the little-known-outside-of-Orange gems: the Orange County Badminton Club; the Friendly Center; and Prime Produce.

    To find out more information CLICK ON link below and go to Episode #140 (at the end): Road Trip with Huell Howser

    .

    Another Road Trip- OUSD Memorial Motorcycle Run

    A group of Orange Unified employees are organizing the first Memorial Motorcycle Run for Monday May 28th, 2007. OUSD employees, their friends and others will gather at the OUSD District Office parking lot at 1401 N. Handy Street at 9:00 a.m. to start off on a day’s ride around Orange County. Organizers are asking that you bring an American flag to fly on your bike in honor of Memorial Day. For more information or to RSVP please call Joe or Bernie at (714) 639-1330.

    Wednesday, May 16, 2007

     

    Dumitru requests Victim Impact Letters in Steve Ambriz Case

    Metro TALK ______________:GoCo:
    A community service of the
    Greater Orange Communities Organization



    Orange City Council Member Jon Dumitru requests
    Victim Impact Letters in Steve Ambriz
    Case

    The following email was sent to members of the community by Orange City Council Member Jon Dumitru:

    I have received some info from the District Attorney's Office in regards to the sentencing of Ms. Sara Lynn Ward and the "Victim Impact Letters" that need to be written and placed into the probation report and presented to the judge.

    Timing is very important and we don't have a lot of it. I have to have them NO LATER THEN MAY 24th.

    So please fill it out and either hand them to me, or mail them to me at:

    Orange City Hall
    C/O Jon Dumitru
    300 E. Chapman Av.
    Orange, CA. 92866

    I will get them all together and deliver to the victim impact person from the DA's office. This is per her request to do it this way.

    If there is somebody you believe, that would like to send a letter, please share the info with them and ask them to write the letter.

    Thank you all for your help, support. God Bless each of you.


    For examples of Victim Impact Letters CLICK ON:
    VICTIM IMPACT LETTERS EXAMPLE


    To see Council Member Jon Dumitru’s Blog on his day in court at the Sara Lynn Ward’s guilty plea CLICK ON:
    DUMITRU BLOG

    Friday, May 11, 2007

     

    Sara Lyn Ward pleads guilty in Steve Ambriz Crash

    SPECIAL REPORT
    A community service of Orange Net News /O/N/N/
    Sara Lyn Ward pleads guilty in
    Orange Councilman Steve Ambriz death


    Sara Lyn Ward pleaded guilty to two charges involving the May 25th 2006 crash that resulted in the death of Orange Councilman Steve Ambriz when the pick-up she was driving crossed the center line hitting Ambriz’s car head-on.

    Ward pleaded guilty Friday May 11th to one count of possession of marijuana and one count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated to Orange County Superior Court Judge James Stotler. Facing 10 years in prison in the sentencing phase, Ward’s attorney will seek probation. Orange County Senior Deputy Attorney Rebecca Oliveri will be seeking the maximum sentence in the sentencing hearing July 27th,

    SPECIAL REPORT
    Is produced by Orange Net News /O/N/N/

    Wednesday, May 09, 2007

     

    Orange goes to the Farm; Villa Park motors to EBAY

    Metro TALK ______________:GoCo:
    A community service of the Greater Orange Communities Organization

    ORANGE HIGH SCHOOL FARM FEST
    Orange High School’s Future Farmers of America presents the Annual Farm Fest this Saturday at the Orange High School Farm. Fun for the whole family, you can get your fill of farm fun with a petting zoo, food, games, prizes and lots of farm animals. Orange High students have been raising sheep, pigs, and cattle on their own Panther’s Animal Farm and every year invite the public to come and have a look. This year’s Farm Fest is Saturday May 12, 2007 from 12 noon-4:00 p.m.

    The Orange High School Farm is located at the corners of Walnut, Shaffer and Harwood at Orange High. Cost is only $3.00 with the funds supporting OHS Future Farmers of America.

    For more information call 714-997-6299.

    VILLA PARK MOTORS INTO EBAY

    The City of Villa Park has entered the 21st Century surplus world of the Internet…EBAY.
    With less than a day left on it’s EBAY auction of a surplus 2002 BMW Police Motorcycle, the city stands to get at least $5,600 at posting time from 3 bids.

    Take a look, make a bid…..CLICK ON:
    VILLA PARK EBAY AUCTION

    Metro TALK is a community service of the
    Greater Orange Community Organization
    GreaterOrangeCO@gmail.com
    Orange Communication System /OCS/

    Monday, May 07, 2007

     

    Orange Unified gets $37,000 in Rocco Lawsuit Fees

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

    Orange Unified wins “reasonable attorney’s fees” in Rocco Censure Case

    Orange Unified Superintendent Thomas Godley released a press release reporting that Orange County Superior Court Judge Clay Smith granted Orange Unified $37,000 in attorney fees last week from the Rocco Censure Resolution lawsuit. The Godley’s press release however failed to note that Judge Clay rebuffed OUSD’s request for more money because he ruled parts of the OUSD legal billing request was not reasonable.

    In his ruling Clay ruled that OUSD was entitled to “reasonable fees incurred” in regards to the California Aware case filed on behalf of OUSD Trustee Steve Rocco over the OUSD Rocco Censure Resolution. Judge Clay also ruled that while the hourly rate of OUSD Attorney Spencer Covert seemed reasonable “the amount of time, however appears to include (i) time spent on matters other than the motion”. Judge Clay gave an example of those “matters other than the motion” as “(e.g. review of the complaint, status report and status memo) and (ii) excessive hours spent on multiple layers of editing and analysis” . Judge Clay also denied OUSD billings Clay stated fell under CCP 1033.5(c)(5). Those include internet research, copies, postage and reporters transcripts.

    Judge Clay ruled that the “reasonable fees” for OUSD was a billing of $37,000. Judge Clay’s ruling follows:

    Respondents’ motion for attorney’s fees and costs:
    Petitioners’ request for judicial notice is granted.
    Respondents are entitled to recover reasonable fees incurred in connection with the motion. The hourly rate requested is clearly reasonable. The amount of time, however, appears to include (i) time spent on matters other than the motion (e.g. review of the complaint, status report, status memo) and (ii) excessive hours spent on multiple layers of editing and analysis. In short, the Court finds that Respondents are entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees in the amount of $37,000.
    Respondents’ request for costs includes items not recoverable under CCP 1033.5(c)(5), including Lexis research, copies, postage, and reporter’s transcript. Accordingly, the request for costs is denied.
    Respondents’ request for a stay pending appeal without bond is denied.

    SPECIAL REPORT
    Is produced by Orange Net News /O/N/N/
    OrangeNetNews@verizon.net
    “Independent, Local, News and Viewpoints”

    Ecast on the
    INTERNET COMMUNITY GROUP i/))) cg
    A 21st Century Communications System
    For more information on the current issues of defending media freedom in the electronic world visit
    The ELECTRONIC FRONTIER FOUNDATION link: www.eff.org

    Sunday, May 06, 2007

     

    OUSD PRINCIPAL BEN RICH RESIGNS

    ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
    a news service of Orange Net News /O/N/N/
    Independent insight into OUSD


    OUSD Board approves Ed Howard for VPHS Principal and …
    PRINCIPAL BEN RICH RESIGNS
    The May 10th Orange Unified School District School Board Agenda (page 31) lists former Villa Park High School Principal Ben Rich, who was at the center of the Rocco Censure controversy, resigning from OUSD effective at the end of this school year. Rich will take a position at Upland High School in a newly created co-principal’s position for curriculum and instruction (see link below). Rich came under fire from Villa Park High School parents at the beginning of the school year and was transferred to Richland Continuation School as a Principal on Special Assignment. It was the transfer to Richland HS after the removal from Villa Park HS that prompted Orange Unified School Board Trustee Steve Rocco to quip during a school board meeting that if he had been given the opportunity, he would have voted to fire Rich. That comment led to a two month ordeal during the November 2006 election campaign for the OUSD School Board and Rocco’s bid for a Rancho Santiago College Board seat. The controversy included:
    • The controversial decision of OUSD Superintendent Godley ordering the cable broadcast censored of most of Rocco’s comments (including the Rich comment) from that meeting and the near physical confrontation between Rocco and OUSD Trustee John Ortega over comments about Ortega’s deceased brother.
    • The Rocco Censure Resolution, a two meeting process that the First Amendment and Brown Act watchdog group Californian’s Aware became involved in helping Rocco fight the Censure Resolution
    • A lawsuit filed on behalf of Rocco by Californian’s Aware against OUSD for violation of First Amendment Rights. The suit was dismissed with the judge agreeing with OUSD’s positions. That ruling is being appealed.

    To view the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin story on Ben Rich CLICK ON:
    BEN RICH in UPLAND

    OUSD Board approves Ed Howard for VPHS Principal
    At the April 19th OUSD School Board Meeting the OUSD Board approved Interim VPHS Principal Ed Howard as the next Villa Park H.S. Principal. In a rare Public Comment on a Closed Session appointment item, Villa Park High School PFSO President-elect for next year Nancy Jerkins appeared before the OUSD Board to ask that they not approve Howard as VPHS principal. Jerkins cited her long experience as a parent participant in schools as making her question the inexperience of Howard who has been an administrator for only 6 months at a school site. Jenkins also stated her concerns come from working with Howard on the VPHS School Site Council and her belief hat Howard lacked the needed skills and experience to be an effective high school administrator at this time. Jenkins further stated that OUSD Superintendent Dr. Godley had assured the VPHS community that the parents and staff would be involved in the selection process for the new principal and that she was disappointed that Godley failed to include them.

    During the Regular Session Superintendent Dr. Godley announced that Howard was approved on a 5-1 (1 absent) vote to be Principal of VPHS. During Public Comments in the Regular Session, Community Foundation of Orange Board Member Stu Livingstone speaking about the Foundation Games gave his vote of confidence to Howard as the new VPHS Principal. Livingstone said he had worked closely with Howard on the Foundation board.

    At the meeting Godley also announced the appointment of Running Springs Principal Greg Bowden as Canyon H.S. Principal and La Habra’s Imperial Middle School Assistant Principal John Birquelet as El Modena H.S. Principal. (For the Orange County Register article on Birquelet CLICK ON:BIRQUELET in LA HARBRA).

    On Tuesday May 2nd, OUSD announced the shake-up of 16 administrative positions. Fourteen personnel assignments were made public, including three that require Board approval at the May 10th OUSD Board Meeting. For complete coverage CLICK ON: OUSD ADMINISTRATORS SHAKE UP

    MOFFAT REMINDS COMMUNITY:
    “Parents are the Anti-drug”
    Four parents spoke to the Board concerning OUSD Administration proposed policy allowing schools to have a “voluntary drug testing program”. Three parents supported the proposal mostly on the grounds that it was another “tool” for parents to use. Another parent questioned the proposed policy as a “prevention” tool and listed many reasons against the proposal. She also noted parents already had ready access to drug testing kits at pharmacies or over the internet. All those who spoke, including those who supported the proposal, stated that they did have concerns with some of the wording of the policy as written.

    Trustee Kathy Moffat presented by all accounts an intelligent, well researched and eloquently spoken rebuttal to school-based random “suspicion-less drug testing”. Complete with research supported hand-outs, Moffat outlined six researched based reasons why a list of various national professional organizations opposes school-based “suspicion-less drug testing”. Moffat’s six points based on her research included the cost-benefit implications to the appropriateness of schools focusing on the controversy of “testing” versus engaging at-risk and other students in positive activities and relationships at school. Moffat acknowledged the parent concerns and reminded parents they have the power to test their students at anytime. Moffat went on to remind parents that talking about drug use as a family and having a family commitment was much more powerful than random school programs. Moffat harkened to the public service television advertisement advising “Parents are the Anti-drug”. Concluding, Moffat questioned if the purpose of OUSD as an education community was to institute another program or to prevent drug use among students.

    Moffat’s powerful presentation apparently made everyone in the room think. OUSD Trustee Lissa Smith then spoke to the issue by proposing that the Board return to a format that they have use in the past, the Community Forum to listen to experts on both sides and the community. After little discussion, the Board directed staff to make arrangements to hold a Community Forum on the proposed policy.

    Possible 2008 OUSD School Bond Election Dates
    Dr. Godley gave a quick update of OUSD’s Strategic Plan using a 13 page hand-out. Godley highlighted just some of the 18 updates of the plan’s three areas- technology, personalization, and facilities. One update Godley did not mention was on the second page of the facilities update (the last page of the update) about passing a facilities bond. The report states:

    “Elections set for 2008 included the Presidential Primary Election scheduled for February 5, 2008, the Statewide Direct Primary scheduled for June 3, 2008, and the General Election scheduled for November 4, 2008. These would be the dates available to place a facilities bond on the ballot.”

    May 10th OUSD AGENDA OTHER ITEMS:
    Agenda Item 9E- Proclamation of Classified School Employee Week May 20-26
    Agenda Item 14D- Santiago Charter Revocation law firm Miller Brown and Dannis $40,000
    Agenda Item 14S- Increase in fees for pre-school and school age child care centers
    Agenda Item 14 O- Establishing a Community Day School per State Requirement

    COMMUNITY DONATIONS to LOCAL SCHOOLS
    Chapman Hills PTA $21,000 for computers; McPherson Education Foundation $1,650 for projector; VPHS Baseball Boosters $14,500 for stipends. For a complete list of community donations see Agenda page 11.

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

    INSIDE’s EDUCATIONAL TAX DOLLARS WATCH 2007:
    $ 294,090.00 Total
    2007 Consultant/ Speaker Fee Tally:
    4/30/07 Debra Ford Speaker Fee $ 4,090
    4/30/07 Danny Brassell Speaker Fee $ 3,500
    3/8/07 Dr. Daggett Speaker Fee $ 9,000
    Total $ 16,590

    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
    5/10/07 Miller, Brown and Dannis $ 50,000
    Total $277,500

    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 May 10, 2007. For more information
    CLICK ON: http://www.orangeusd.k12.ca.us/board/pdf/agenda_051007.pdf
    OUSD CLOSED SESSION STARTS 6:30 PM on 5/10/07 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 INSIDE
    "Independent insight into OUSD"

    is an independent news service of /O/N/N/
    Orange_NetNews@yahoo.com
    “Independent Local Insight”

    Wednesday, May 02, 2007

     

    SPECIAL REPORT: Orange Unified “IT’S ALL SHOOK UP!"

    ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
    a news service of Orange Net News /O/N/N/
    Independent insight into OUSD


    ORANGE UNIFIED: “IT’S ALL SHOOK UP!”

    OUSD CHANGES 16 more Administrative Positions

    In two press releases, the Orange Unified School District announced the largest administrative shake up in years on Tuesday May 2nd for the 2007-2008 school year. The announcement was unusual because three of the fourteen changes involved were announced prior to the OUSD Trustee’s approving the new assignments.

    One of the two OUSD announcements came with what long-time board watchers are calling the “rubber-stamp” waiver that stated “Contingent on Board approval at the May 10, Board meeting” as it announced three current OUSD Assistant Principals would be given new assignments. The second OUSD announcement detailing the new assignments for the three AP’s, started out:
    “The following appointments are pending Board approval, and are set to be brought before the Board of Education during the closed session of the May 10th, 2007 Board Meeting.”

    The three positions pending Board approval are:
    • Mc Pherson Magnet Assistant Principal Jeanne Bentley will be promoted to Principal at Mc Pherson Magnet.
    • Lampson Assistant Principal Lydia Roach will be promoted to Principal of Running Springs E.S.
    • Running Springs Assistant Principal Jennifer Harrison will continue her role as Assistant Principal at Canyon High School joining her current principal Dr. Greg Bowden (who was appointed Canyon H.S. Principal last month) at Canyon H.S.

    The following is a school-by-school breakdown of the announced OUSD administrative changes:

    District Office
    • Cheryl Cohen, one time OUSD Assistant Superintendent and currently Administrative Director of Professional Learning will be Principal of Lampson E.S.
    • Chris Eslick Gate/Library Media Coordinator will move to Canyon Hills TMR as a Coordinator II of Special Education.

    Elementary Schools
    California E.S.: Cyndi Paik Principal of Crescent Intermediate will replace Andy Fisher as California E.S. Principal.

    Crescent Intermediate: Shelia Thompson Principal of La Veta E.S. will replace Crescent Principal Cyndi Paik who moves to California E.S.

    Lampson E.S.: Cheryl Cohen, one time OUSD Assistant Superintendent and currently Administrative Director of Professional Learning will be Principal of Lampson E.S. replacing Lampson Principal Lynn Matassarin. Current Lampson Assistant Principal Lydia Roach will become Principal of Running Springs E.S.. The Assistant Principal position at Lampson will remain open until filled.

    Linda Vista E.S.: Diane Osborn, Principal of Canyon Hills TMR will replace Linda Vista Principal Shelia Thompson who will be the new Principal of Crescent Intermediate

    McPherson Magnet: Jeanne Bentley Assistant Principal of McPherson Magnet will become Principal of McPherson Magnet. Current McPherson Principal Tara Saraye will become Principal of Yorba Middle School. Canyon H.S. Assistant Principal Ariana Garcia will become the McPherson Assistant Principal.

    Running Springs E.S.: Lydia Roach Lampson Assistant Principal will become Principal of Running Springs. Running Springs Assistant Principal Jennifer Harrison will continue her role as an Assistant Principal over at Canyon High School were she will join her current principal Dr. Greg Bowden (who was appointed Canyon H.S. Principal last month) at Canyon H.S. The Running Springs Assistant Principal position will remain open until filled.

    Middle School
    Yorba M.S.: Current McPherson Principal Tara Saraye will become Principal of Yorba Middle School. Current Yorba Middle School Principal Frank Huerta is listed by the district as becoming an Assistant Principal at a high school “TBD” (to be determined). In a letter to his staff, Huerta stated that his long term plans are for a principal position at the high school level and that he has “requested and been granted” a transfer to an Assistant Principal position in OUSD to gain experience. He also states that he is actively seeking a position outside OUSD closer to his home and “I am confident that I will obtain a position shortly”.

    High Schools
    Canyon H.S. : Running Springs Assistant Principal Jennifer Harrison will continue her role as an Assistant Principal at Canyon High School were she will join her current principal Dr. Greg Bowden (who was appointed Canyon H.S. Principal last month) at Canyon H.S. replacing retiring Principal Gloria Duncan.

    Orange H.S.: Susanne Hopkins Assistant Principal of Villa Park H.S. will swap places with Orange H.S. Assistant Principal Jim D’ Agostino.

    Villa Park H.S.: Orange H.S. Assistant Principal Jim D’ Agostino will swap places with Susanne Hopkins Assistant Principal of Villa Park H.S.

    The following positions are listed open until filled:
    Lampson E.S. Assistant Principal
    Running Springs E.S. Assistant Principal
    Alternative Schools and ROP Administrative Director
    Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services

    The following schools will have two administrative changes as a result of the announced changes or new principals hired last month:
    Lampson
    Linda Vista
    Mc Pherson
    Running Springs
    Canyon H.S.
    Villa Park H.S.

    This SPECIAL REPORT ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
    is an independent community news service of /O/N/N/
    Orange_NetNews@yahoo.com
    “Independent Local Insight”

    Tuesday, May 01, 2007

     

    VILLA PARK CAR SHOW



    Villa Park High School Instrumental Music Program Boosters present the

    4nd Annual
    VILLA PARK HIGH SCHOOL CAR and BIKE SHOW


    The 4th Annual Villa Park High School Car and Bike Show is the major fundraising effort of the Villa Park High School Instrumental Music Program Boosters (the Spartan Alliance). Every year this event is more successful than the last as the Car and Bike Show is becoming one of the newest community traditions.

    This year the Saturday May 12th event will be no exception. The big town car show event with the small town charm will have over 150 collector and antique cars. The event is open to all makes and models that compete for the many, many trophies. Spectators are free. The fun-filled day starts with a Pancake Breakfast and progresses to a BB-Q Lunch. Also part of the fun will be vendor booths, music by a DJ, a raffle, a silent auction, 50-50 Tickets and of course…the traditional Event T-Shirt that tells all “I WAS THERE” will all be available.

    The VPHS Instrumental Music Boosters raise 25% of their annual budget from the show. The money raised is used to help keep the instrumental music program at VPHS running during the year. The Instrumental Booster’s are still looking for local community minded businesses and individuals willing to give tax-deductible donations for raffle give-always (businesses donating will be actively identified to VPHS music supporters and the greater community).

    4nd Annual
    VILLA PARK HIGH SCHOOL CAR and BIKE SHOW
    Saturday May 12 from 9:00 am to 3:00 p.m.
    Villa Park High School, 18042 Taft Ave Villa Park
    FREE ADMISSION TO SPECTATORS
    For more information email Randy Vannoy at rvannoy@socal.rr.com

    FOR A Slide Show of LAST YEAR’S CARS
    CLICK ON: http://www.vphscarshow.com/slideshow_flash.html

    FOR VEHICAL REGISTRATION FORMS AND INFORMATION:
    CLICK ON: http://www.vphscarshow.com/downloads/2007_Band_Car_Show_Flyer_HTML.htm

    FOR BUSINESS SPONSERSHIP INFORMATION:
    CLICK ON: http://www.vphscarshow.com/1.html

    FOR RAFFEL DONATION ITEMS INFORMATION
    CLICK ON: http://www.vphscarshow.com/2.html


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