Schools
The State of California is Funneling Taxpayer Money to Foundations Through the K-12 Public Education System
to Fund Political Campaigns like YES on Prop 51 - YES on Prop 55 and YES on Prop 58
The State of California’s new education funding law AB-97 Local Control Funding Formula was designed to get rid of categorical programs and give local school districts control over how school district funding was spent.
However, the California Department of Education has now began to use one time restricted grant funding to force the expenditure of taxpayer money on things like “Professional Development” and “Technology”.
The State Department of education appears to be engaged in "Racketeering."
What is very troubling is that these one time funds that every district receives - are used for their mandated purpose- "Professional Development" and “Technology", but the payment for goods and services are made to a “foundation” not a company or business. These foundations have political PACS that advocate political positions which may or may not be in the best interest of students and taxpayers.
Racketeering is the act of offering of a dishonest service (a "racket") to solve a problem that wouldn't otherwise exist without the enterprise offering the service.
Professional Development is NOT a necessary expense of a school district. Especially, for a District that lacks sufficient revenue to provide a basic state mandated curriculum to every student. There are CUSD students who do not receive District funded art, music or science; that is taught by a credentialed teacher, that aligns with California State Content Standards and Curriculum frameworks.
"Follow the Money" to see how it works.
Find out what's happening in San Juan Capistranofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Capistrano Unified School District receives just under $5 million in one time grant moneys dedicated to CTE (Technology) and Professional Development (Educator Effectiveness Grant). District Staff - School Site Principals - Teachers - Classified Staff attend Professional Development Classes and Symposiums where educational software and technologies are presented.
Californians Dedicated to Education has an Advisory Task Force on Accountability and Continuous Improvement that works in partnership with ACSA.
ACSA Foundation then spends that money on Political issues through its three political PACS:
- ACSA - Issues Political Action Committee - "ACSA ISSUES PAC" = ID #972015
- ACSA - Political Action Committee - "ACSA-PAC" = ID #842151
- ACSA - ACSA Political Action Committee - "ACSAPAC" = ID #840154
Through ACSA's Political Pacs - you have taxpayer money being used to advocate for Union positions and Pay- To-Play For-Profit Companies.
Find out what's happening in San Juan Capistranofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Association of California School Administrators - Political Action Committee - "ACSA-PAC" = ID #842151
This PAC spends taxpayer money to elect individuals to State political office. It made -0- contributions to anyone seeking office within CUSD Boundaries.
CDE Foundation - The Advisory Task Force on Accountability and Continuous Improvement partners with ACSA
"The Advisory Task Force on Accountability and Continuous Improvement is a team of education leaders convened to advise the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson on his recommendations for a new California system of public education accountability and continuous improvement to the State Board of Education and the state legislature.
The task force is being co-chaired by Wes Smith, ACSA Executive Director, and Eric Heins, CTA President. Additionally, the SSPI has appointed 25+ key education leaders from throughout California to serve on the task force."
"The Task Force began meeting regularly in September 2015 and was co-chaired by Wes Smith, Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Executive Director, and Eric Heins, California Teachers Association (CTA) President. Additionally, the SSPI appointed 25+ key education leaders from throughout California to serve on the task force. After five in-person meetings as well as additional virtual meetings and small group work sessions, the Task Force is proud to present its final report: Preparing All Students for College, Career, Life, and Leadership in the 21st Century. Wes Smith and Eric Heins presented the report to the State Board of Education on May 11th, with a number of Task Force members showing their support for the recommendations in the report as well. Materials from the State Board Meeting can be accessed here."
"With funding from the CA Education Policy Fund, the CDE Foundation provided support for the coordination, facilitation, and documentation of all meetings, as well as the development of the written report. We wish to thank the Superintendent for convening this group, the funders for generously supporting this effort, the co-chairs for leading this work, and most importantly, the Task Force members who contributed their time, passion, and wisdom to help recommend a system that better serves all of California’s diverse students, families, and communities by providing schools and districts with the information they need to continuously improve.
The full report from the Superintendent’s Advisory Task Force on Accountability and Continuous Improvement can be accessed here: Preparing All Students for College, Career, Life, and Leadership in the 21st Century."*CA Education Policy Fund- http://www.rockpa.org/project/cepf-2/current-grantees
Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Lynn Hatton-Hodson is a Principal in InnovateEd. Her position on the Board directly conflicts with her business interest in InnovateEd who partners with ACSA in Systems Leadership Collaborative and LCAPca. Trustee Hatton-Hodson is currently being investigated by the FPPC and the DA for Conflict of Interest.
This State -wide restricted flow of taxpayer money funneled through Professional Development and CTE at every District in the State is a mis-use of taxpayer funds because it flows directly to a foundation and is then used for political advocacy.
