Next Round Of Superintendent Search Meetings

MORE SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH MEETINGS
Laura Boss, Communications Director for the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, has sent out a message late this morning which lists the next round of meetings dealing with the search for a replacement for Dr. Jeffrey Hubbard. This is short notice for a couple of them, but here is her message in total:

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The photo summaries of the meeting notes from the superintendent search community input meetings held at Davis Magnet School and Costa Mesa High School have been posted online at the following link:

https://picasaweb.google.com/111290800076331000898

You can also find summaries of previous meetings at the above link or go directly to the dedicated webpage: www.nmusd.us/suptsearch2012

As a reminder, the following community input meetings remain. All members of the public are welcome to attend any of the meetings.

Wednesday, April 18, 10:00-11:00 a.m. Newport Harbor High School

Thursday, April 19, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Newport Coast Elementary School

Thursday, April 19, 7:00-8:00 p.m. DELAC (District English Learners Advisory Committee) meeting at Lindbergh site

Monday, April 23, 9:00-10:00 a.m. District-wide meeting –Education Center, Board Room

If you are unable to attend a meeting, we welcome your comments on our online survey. The survey is quick and uses the same formatted questions being asked at the community meetings. Go to:

http://research.zarca.com/survey.aspx?k=SsVRTUsTSQsPsPsP&lang=0&data=

Your time and input is greatly appreciated.

NMUSD Superintendent Search Meetings Tonight

TWO MEETINGS TONIGHT
This morning Laura Boss, Director of Communications for the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, fired off this message:

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The N-MUSD Superintendent search timeline has been crafted to meet the Board's desire for a process that provides numerous opportunities for input from all.  We will be reaching out to all Newport-Mesa stakeholders throughout the entire search process in a variety of ways in English/Spanish, online, in print, surveys, website, school meetings, and community forums.    

Please join us TONIGHT, Monday, April 16, 2012 for the following community meetings Scheduled at:

 6:30 -7:30 p.m. DAVIS Magnet School 
or
7:00-8:00 p.m. Costa Mesa Middle/High School

All Meetings are open to any members of the public.  For more information and additional community input meeting dates and locations, please visit: www.nmusd.us/suptsearch2012

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A CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE
For those residents who care about the process of selecting a new Superintendent for the NMUSD replacing the discredited felon, Jeffrey Hubbard, the district is providing plenty of opportunities to participate.  Tonight's meetings are right in the heart of Costa Mesa at times that should be convenient for most folks.  Attend and learn about this very important process.  At the very least, visit the web site at the link Boss provided.  It's full of excellent information about the search.

Return Of Dr. Barbot

DR. ROBERT BARBOT NAMED INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT
In a press release early this evening the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, through its Director of Communications, Laura Boss, announced that Dr. Robert Barbot will return to the district as interim superintendent. He replaces disgraced convicted felon, Dr. Jeffrey Hubbard, who was fired a week ago following his conviction on two felony charges involving crimes committed while the superintendent of the Beverly Hills School District.

SECOND TIME AROUND
Dr. Barbot, who served the district for eight years before retiring in June, 2006, will begin his new role sometime between February 23rd and March 5th. His contract will continue until July 31, 2012.

WILL HEAD THE REPLACEMENT SEARCH
According to the press release, Barbot's duties will include conducting a nationwide search for a new permanent superintendent for the district. Although the details of the contract are still being worked out, we are told that he will receive $960 per day plus a housing allowance - Barbot lives in northern California - during his tour as interim superintendent. If you only count "work days", that means he will receive well over $100,000 plus the housing allowance for this period of service. Since he was a highly-respected leader during his previous tour, it sounds like a bargain to me. His presence should be a calming influence on the district at a time when that kind of leadership is needed.

HOPING FOR A DIFFERENT RESULT
I don't know if Dr. Barbot was involved in the search that resulted in Hubbard's selection as his replacement. If so, I hope he and those with whom he will be collaborating on this new search will step back and evaluate that process to be sure the results are better this time around.

NMUSD Board Fires Hubbard

FINALLY
In a closed session late this afternoon the trustees of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District voted unanimously to fire convicted felon, Dr. Jeffrey Hubbard, from his position as superintendent of the district. According to the report by Fermin Leal and Tony Saavedra in the Orange County Register, HERE, the action is retroactive to Monday, January 23rd.

THE PAYOUT...
According to coverage provided by Britney Barnes in the Daily Pilot, HERE, indicates that Hubbard will still be eligible for his pension but, because he was fired before turning 55 - his birthday is Thursday - the amount will be significantly less. Trustee Judy Franco is quoted by Barnes as saying, "If the district had fired him without cause before he was convicted, Hubbard would have been entitled to 18 months of pay." The Register article calculates that his pension, based on his salary of $305,920 annually, will be $119,920.

REED AT THE HELM
Deputy Superintendent Paul Reed will act as superintendent until March 5th, or until an interim leader can be found, according to Barnes. (Daily Pilot Photo)

DISTRACTION OVER?
There is no doubt that the Hubbard incident has been a major distraction for the school district for more than a year. While I hope - with his conviction and the board's decision to fire him - teachers, students and parents will be able to re-focus on the job at hand - educating the more than 20,000 students in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District. However, I do fear that this sad event will linger in the minds of all for some time. I certainly hope the trustees will make a wise decision on Hubbard's replacement... the district deserves it.

Hubbard Guilty! School Board To Consider Action

HUBBARD GUILTY!
In a press release issued by the Newport-Mesa Unified School District minutes ago, it was announced that Dr. Jeffrey Hubbard, Superintendent, was found guilty of some of the charges dealing with his time at the Beverly Hills School District. That press release follows:




Newport-Mesa USD Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Hubbard Found Guilty on Two of Three Felony Charges by Los Angeles Jury

Dr. Jeffrey Hubbard, N-MUSD Superintendent, has been found guilty on two of three felony misappropriation of public funds charges by the jury at his trial in Department 102 of the Los Angeles Superior Court. The charges all pertained to actions taken in his capacity as superintendent of the Beverly Hills Unified School District over six years ago. There was no allegation of illegal activity during his tenure as Superintendent of Newport-Mesa Unified School District, where he has been employed since 2006.

To avoid acting precipitously in regard to charges that had no connection with Newport-Mesa, and to observe Dr. Hubbard’s legal right to be judged by a jury of his peers, the school board has refrained from action in the past year. At the same time steps were taken to assure that the school district would continue to move ahead while Dr. Hubbard’s personal legal issues were brought to closure.

Board President Dave Brooks has called for an immediate closed session of the N-MUSD School Board in accordance with Brown Act requirements to review the Board’s legal options regarding the superintendent’s employment contract and next steps in light of the outcome in the case. The closed session will be scheduled as soon as possible and further announcements will be forthcoming.