School Board Disciplines Corona del Mar Students

EARLY MORNING PRESS RELEASE
Shortly after 1:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 29, 2014, Laura Boss, Communications Director for the Newport-Mesa Unified School District released a long statement for immediate release regarding the disciplining of several Corona del Mar High School Students following the recent hacking of school records and changing of grades.

STUDENTS DISCIPLINED

In the press release, reproduced in its entirety below, the Board voted to discipline eleven (11) students, but doesn't state what that discipline includes, only that "The Board's action imposes discipline upon these students for the maximum allowed by the Education Code for what occurred at Corona del Mar High School."  There had been much speculation about what that discipline might be, including expulsion.

A SAD DAY...
I'll let you read the entire statement and glean from it what you might.  Needless to say, this is a sad day in the history of Corona del Mar High School - which had been riding on a cloud following the undefeated season by the football team -  and the entire Newport-Mesa Unified School District.

THE STATEMENT

Newport-Mesa Unified School District Statement
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Board of Education Takes Action in Corona Del Mar Student Discipline Cases

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District Board of Education met Tuesday evening in closed session to consider student discipline. Following closed session, Board President Karen Yelsey recited the following statement for the record:
In all student discipline cases, the Board’s main responsibility is to determine the appropriate disciplinary action allowed under Board policy and state law while protecting the involved student’s rights to privacy and due process. As trustees, we are held to a higher standard of confidentiality than members of the public. While individuals may publically comment on specific student discipline cases, we cannot. As such, we cannot provide any specifics of these cases beyond what is shared in this statement, even if those details could clarify misinformation and rumors. 

The Board met in closed session in compliance with Education Code section 35146 to consider the student discipline for students listed on the agenda, and identified by discipline file numbers

In accordance with the provisions of Education Code sections 48900 and 48918, the Board reviewed the expulsion matters before them, and took action regarding the discipline recommendations and agreements reached with these students and their parents.

The recommended discipline and agreements for these students were approved and the vote was as follows: 13-01-76: 4/3; 13-02-76: 6/1; 13-03-76: 7/0; 13-04-76: 4/3; 13-05-76: 7/0; 13-06-76: 7/0; 13-07-76: 4/3; 13-08-76: 7/0; 13-09-76: 7/0 13-10-76: 7/0; 13-11-76: 4/3 


The Board’s action imposes discipline upon these students for the maximum allowed by the Education Code for what occurred at Corona del Mar High School.

Now that this has been read into the official record, let me say that the action by the Board upheld the recommendations of the principal and district administration. The Board’s action also reflects our responsibility pursuant to Education Code to provide continued academic access for all students.

The Board of Education has weighed each of the cases presented this evening on an individual basis and in careful detail. We’ve focused on the cases for hours in closed session. As a Board of Education, we are unanimous in our resolve to ensure the academic integrity of CDM and the District, as well as in delivering justice for the cases before us. We came to different positions on some of the cases, reflecting the individual circumstances as we each saw them. The final votes reflect the due consideration with which the Board has addressed the individual cases before us.

It is our sincere hope that the speculations and rumors regarding student discipline matters can now be put to rest and for the sake of the school community and all involved, these student discipline matters are considered resolved.

While the current student discipline matters have concluded, the lingering effects of the hacking incident at Corona del Mar continue as part of an ongoing investigation. The Newport Beach Police Department is currently seeking to interview the alleged private tutor for his involvement in the incident. The District is currently involved in an intensive audit of all CdM teachers’ grade books so that we can ensure the integrity and accuracy of all posted grades. The District has also taken preventative measures and is implementing a new notification system districtwide to flag grade changes.

Inaccuracies continue to be shared in the public domain about access to student discipline records by college admission offices. Student discipline records are not a part of a student’s regular transcript and are not included in the records sent to colleges. If a college specifically requests a student’s discipline record, they would only be able to obtain it from the school district by receiving signed parent permission. The District will continue to partner with Corona del Mar High School administration and staff to ensure that the rigor and educational excellence demonstrated by CdM’s graduates for decades is not tarnished. Despite needing some time to wrestle with the disappointment of this unfortunate incident, we are confident that the school community will rise above this event.
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Krupp "Exposes" McCarthy And Mensinger

SERIOUS RULES VIOLATIONS
On June 21, 2012 Costa Mesa City Council Candidate Marshall Krupp, http://www.costamesaelection2012.com/, wrote to the President and Members of the Board of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District advising them of what he perceived to be a violation of District rules and the California Education Code that occurred a week earlier, at Colin McCarthy's council campaign kick-off event at The Triangle (formerly known as Triangle Square).  He also copied the Fair Political Practices Commission, Enforcement Division, in Sacramento.

ESTANCIA CHEERLEADERS PRESENT
Apparently there were a half-dozen Estancia High School Cheerleaders present at this event and Krupp informed the leadership of the NMUSD that this was a violation of the rules.
 

MENSINGER TOOK CREDIT (BLAME?)
He went further and recounted overhearing Steve Mensinger, also a candidate for council in November, "touting his relationship with Estancia High School as a large fundraiser and booster of the school and that he had arranged with the District, the Cheer Team's participation and support at the McCarthy event".

DR. BARBOT - "YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!"
In his press release, which can be viewed in its entirety at http://www.costamesaelection2012.com/breakingnews.html, he mentions a telephone conversation with Interim Superintendent of the NMUSD, Dr. Robert Barbot, who - according to Krupp - informed him that he was "absolutely right" that McCarthy and Mensinger had violated District policy.

NMUSD PUBLISHES THE RULES
Subsequently, Laura Boss, Director of Communications for the NMUSD, distributed a letter to  "Leadership Team Members", the subject of which was "Campaign and Political Activities".  In that letter Boss hedged her bet just a little by requesting recipients to contact her "before making a judgment on permitted or prohibited conduct.  The legality of specific conduct cannot be fully answered until the facts and circumstances of specific incidents are evaluated."
WHICH ARE...
She went on to list what may and may not be done by Employees and Students.

What Employees and Students Can Do:
• Employees are permitted to have signs or political bumper stickers on their personal vehicles and park on school District property.

• Employees may wear political buttons or t-shirts in the classroom as long as the buttons or t-shirts do not create class disruption or contain malicious or defamatory statements.

• Employees and members of the public may conduct peaceful picketing on the sidewalk, off school property as long as this activity does not create a dangerous condition for students, block access to entrances or school site exits, or interfere with orderly school operations.

• Students are permitted to wear buttons making political statements as long as the content of those buttons is not obscene, vulgar, malicious, defamatory, or creates a disruption in the classroom.

• Union prepared items may be placed on the NMFT and CSEA designated membership poster boards only. This is the only designated location that items can be displayed. Typically these are located in the staff lounge or possibly another area of the front office.

• The unions may distribute union prepared flyers, notices, etc., via employee’s mailboxes.

What Employees and Students Cannot Do:
• No district funds, services, supplies, or equipment or anything that is a symbolic representation of the District or a specific school site (this would include students as representatives of school sponsored teams, cheer, etc,) shall be used to urge the support or defeat any ballot measure or candidate, including any candidate for election to the Board. (Education Code 7054)

• During working hours and while on school property, employees may not solicit or receive any political funds or contributions to promote the passage or defeat of a ballot measure that would affect the rate of pay, hours of work, retirement, civil service, or other working conditions.

• District resources, including email or computer systems, shall not be used to disseminate campaign literature. In addition, district resources shall not be used to purchase advertisements, bumper stickers, posters, or similar promotional items that advocate an election result or urge voters to take any action in support of or in opposition to a measure or candidate.

• No items may be sent home with students relative to political campaigns or positional items.
 

 ONLY THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT
We've all seen Mensinger use, or "misuse" the Estancia Football Players over the past many months.  In fact, many of them stepped to the speaker's podium in their football jerseys to praise him as a candidate for appointment to the City Council eighteen months ago.  This most recent abuse of authority and violation of the rules shouldn't surprise anyone who has been paying attention.

ARROGANT DISREGARD FOR THE RULES
It is unclear what action, if any, may be taken by the Fair Political Practices Commission in this matter.  What it does clearly demonstrate is the arrogant disregard for established rules of procedure by Colin McCarthy and Steve Mensinger.  Now, this really doesn't surprise me, because we've seen Mensinger throw his weight around before, using his considerable influence as a fundraiser to get what he wants, when he wants it.  Apparently the rules are for somebody else, not him.

THIS SHOULD WORRY EVERY VOTER
This is certainly something we should consider as we evaluate the candidates for City Council over the next few months, particularly with Jim Righeimer's Charter also likely to be on the ballot.  That document provides inadequate controls over precisely this kind of abuse of power, so to consider it in the hands of men like Mensinger, Righeimer and McCarthy should give every voter pause.  We will, indeed, Remember In November.

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:

*****

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.

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.