In the latest chapter in the wacky Capistrano Unified School District saga, beleaguered superintendent James Fleming has announced his resignation, pleasing parents who have sought to fire Fleming and recall his bosses, the CUSD board of trustees.Long before the latest round of controversy concerning the existence of an “enemies list”—an illegally obtained list of parents who participated in a failed trustee recall attempt—parents were angered by such district actions as construction of an opulent administration building:
Fleming, who had strained relations with a host of elected city officials throughout South County, became the focal point of intense criticism after moving forward last year with plans to build a 126,000-square-foot administration building at a cost of $38 million.
The decision outraged parents who termed the building a "Taj Mahal" and protested the lack of renovation on many of the district's aging school facilities. In April 2005, they responded by mounting a recall campaign targeting all seven school district trustees. (Fleming announces retirement plans—OC Reg)
Garsh, that sounds awful familiar.
Yesterday, a friend visited me at IVC and commented that the campus has become a “mess” over the last decade. “Physically, this end of campus is just falling apart,” he said.
For many years, we’ve been hearing such complaints throughout the district. Nevertheless, a few years ago, the SOCCCD board moved forward with the construction of a fabulous new administration complex, located in the new ($16 million) Health Sciences Building at Saddleback College.
You oughta take a look at the Chancellor and the trustees' new digs. Fabulous!
—Well, actually, you can't see 'em cuz you won't get past the sentry, unless, of course, you've got an invite or you're on the OC GOP Central Committee.
According to the district’s “Report to the Community,” “the most ambitious construction, expansion, renovation and upgrade initiatives in the 38 year history of South Orange County Community College District are currently underway. “
Could be. Here at IVC, they've been busily constructing the new Performing Arts Center and whatnot. But if trustees had any sense (integrity?), they’d concentrate on fixing our rotting old buildings—our hideous bathrooms, moldy vents, stained carpets, and crumbling walls—before launching into this “personal monument” initiative.
Doncha think?
See also Beleaguered Schools Chief Quitting.
