Capistrano Unified School District

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Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) is the second largest school district in Orange County, California, the 12th largest in California and the 85th largest in the United States. The district currently has 51,512 students [1]. The school district serves the following cities:

The CUSD runs 38 elementary schools (plus 1 closed), 10 middle schools, 6 high schools and 2 alternative education programs.

CUSD encompasses 195 square miles and has 40 California Distinguished Schools and 11 National Blue Ribbon Schools. The district has a graduation rate of 96.5%, much higher than California's average of 85.1%, and employees 4,432 employees, making it the largest employer in South Orange County. [2]

On October 25 and 26, 2007, every school campus in this district was closed due to the Orange County Wildfires. Smoke was severe in south Orange County making air quality dangerous for students. On Monday, October 29, 2007, every school reopened. Disaster funding will cover the Average Daily Attendance fees the school would have lost due to the school closures, so he lost school days will not be made up.

In recent years, CUSD has faced controversy, included two efforts to recall school board members. On February 14th, 2008 it was announced that 50-75 of the districts 148 School Bus Drivers would be laid off, due to the gross mismanagement, of funds by the Board of Trustees. In one instance the board spent $38,000,000.00 on a new district office, nicknamed by some locals as the "Taj Mahal".

[edit] Board of Trustees

[edit] About the Board

The Capistrano Unified School District has a seven-member Board of Trustees, with each trustee representing one of seven geographic areas within the school district. Each trustee is elected at large and serves a four-year term of office.

Trustees are:

  • Sheila J. Benecke, President (Area 5)
  • Anna Bryson, Vice President (Area 4)
  • Mike Darnold, Clerk (Area 1)
  • Marlene Draper, Area 2
  • Dr. Duane E. Stiff, Area 3
  • Ellen Addonizio, Area 6
  • Larry Christensen, Area 7

The Board of Trustees is the policymaking body for the school district. It is charged with providing a quality educational program for students in grades kindergarten through 12 in accordance with the California Constitution, the laws of the state, adopted Board policies, and the desires of the community.

[edit] Functions of the Board

As elected officials, trustees are state officers responsible for the governance of a political subdivision of the state. The school district is independent of city and county governments, but cooperates with them.

In addition to establishing school district policies, the Board adopts an annual budget and approves all expenditures, employs personnel, approves curriculum, textbooks and courses of study, and makes decisions on school sites, building plans and construction contracts.

Trustees have no power to act individually in the name of the Board. Action can be taken only when the Board is in formal session with a majority of its members present.

[edit] The Superintendent

The chief administrative officer of the Capistrano Unified School District is no longer James A. Fleming, who resigned at the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year. An interim Superintendent has joined the board. The Superintendent acts as Secretary to the Board of Trustees.

The administration of the school district is delegated by Trustees to a professional administrative staff headed by the Superintendent.

[edit] Employee Awards

2008 Classified Employees of the Year: [3]

  • Jill Packard (Academic Advisor- Capistrano Valley High School)
  • Patricia Effenberger (District Office Support Services)
  • Colleen Lamb (Food Services- Capistrano Valley High School)
  • Bob Eaten (Maintenance Specialist)
  • Kathy Itzel (Instuctional Support Services)
  • Arnie Smith (Custodian- Vista del Mar School)
  • Susie Sucky (Office Manager- Moulton Elementary School)
  • Dan Cherone (Transportation Services)

2008 Teachers of the Year: [4]

  • Christine Jones (Chaparral Elementary School)
  • Warren Nagano (Las Flores Middle School)
  • Cheryl Des Palmes (Tesoro High School)

[edit] Mission

CUSD’s mission, in partnership with the home and our richly diverse community, is to educate students and to assist them in realizing their full potential as responsible, productive, and contributing members of society by providing an educational environment in which students are challenged, excellence is expected and differences are valued.

[edit] Schools

[edit] Elementary schools

  • Aliso Viejo
    • Canyon Vista Elementary School
    • Don Juan Avila Elementary School
    • Foxborough Elementary School
    • Oak Grove Elementary School
    • Wood Canyon Elementary School
  • Capistrano Beach
    • Palisades Elementary School
  • Coto de Caza
    • Wagon Wheel Elementary School
  • Dana Point
    • R.H. Dana Elementary School
    • R.H. Dana Exceptional Needs Facility
  • Ladera Ranch
    • Chaparral Elementary School
    • Ladera Ranch Elementary School
    • Oso Grande Elementary School
  • Laguna Niguel
    • Crown Valley Elementary School
    • George White Elementary School
    • Hidden Hills Elementary School
    • John S. Malcom Elementary School
    • Laguna Niguel Elementary School
    • Marian Bergeson Elementary School
    • Moulton Elementary School
  • Mission Viejo
    • Barcelona Hills Elementary School
    • Bathgate Elementary School
    • Carl Hankey Elementary School
    • Castille Elementary School
    • Phillip Reilly Elementary School
    • Viejo Elementary School
  • Rancho Santa Margarita
    • Arroyo Vista Elementary School
    • Las Flores Elementary School
    • Tijeras Creek Elementary School
  • San Clemente
    • Clarence Lobo Elementary School
    • Concordia Elementary School
    • Las Palmas Elementary School
    • Marblehead Elementary School
    • Truman Benedict Elementary School
    • Vista del Mar Elementary School
    • Former Ole Hanson Elementary School (closed June 2003)
  • San Juan Capistrano
    • Del Obispo Elementary School
    • Harold Ambuehl Elementary School
    • Kinoshita Elementary School
    • San Juan Elementary School

[edit] Middle schools

[edit] High schools

[edit] Alternative Education Programs

  • San Juan Capistrano
    • Junipero Serra High School
    • Adult School/Community Education

[edit] Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This District State Average
White, not Hispanic 67.4% 28.56%
Asian 5.2% 8.25%
Hispanic or Latino 18.1% 48.6%
Multiple or No Response 5.8% 3.05%
African American, not Hispanic 1.4% 7.39%
Filipino 1.5% 2.67%
Pacific Islander .3% .63%
American Indian or Alaska Native .2% .76%


[edit] See also

[edit] External links