Laguna Beach : School Board Members Answer Recall Charges

School board members who have been targeted for recall said the charges against them are false and unsubstantiated, according to rebuttal statements filed with the county registrar of voters.

Representatives of Citizens United for Responsible Education on Nov. 25 announced their attempt to recall Charlene Ragatz, Carl E. Schwarz, Susan Mas and Janet S. Vickers.

The group is protesting a vote by those board members to allow Cedrick Hardman, head football coach at Laguna Beach High School, to return to campus after his arrest on suspicion of cocaine possession. Hardman is working as a volunteer coach while he attends a drug rehabilitation program.

The group’s recall documents, however, accuse the four board members of poor performance, including mismanagement of school funds.

“The charges are non-specific, non-factual and an injustice,” Vickers said in a statement filed this week. In their statements, Schwarz, Ragatz and Vickers listed their accomplishments as board members while indicating that they condemn drug abuse and have endorsed anti-drug programs.

But Mas said that, in retrospect, her wish to send a message condemning drug abuse “would have been better sent had I supported (Supt.) Dr. (Dennis M.) Smith’s recommendation that Mr. Hardman remain on suspension.”

Board member Harry Bithell, who is not targeted for recall, opposed the move to return Hardman to his coaching position because “his volunteer work is essentially reinstatement, no matter what we say.”