COUNTYWIDE : Trustee Recall Group to Tape Cable Show

The citizens group leading a recall drive against 19 trustees in four school districts plans to tape a cable television program this week discussing the issue.

Citizens for Accountability in Education had invited the targeted trustees to appear in a panel on the hourlong program, but all of the board members declined. Board members have roundly denounced the recall attempt, as well as the group’s proposed format for the program.

The forum was to feature opposing panels that each would answer questions. But before the show is aired, “we will edit out anything that, in our opinion and to the best of our knowledge, is not true,” group spokesman Paul Demers said.

Because trustees declined to participate, Citizens for Accountability in Education will air a “documentary” on school funding and the group’s views on how to address the issue.

Group members and allied politicians will be appearing on the show, which will be taped Wednesday and aired at a date that has not been set, Demers said.

The planned recall attempt was triggered by the approval of a property fee to raise money for schools. The targeted trustees constitute every board member but one from the Huntington Beach City, Huntington Beach Union High, Ocean View and Westminster school districts.

Although the trustees repealed the fee under public pressure, the group decided to push forward with an attempt to oust them from office.

After airing the initial program, the group will extend another invitation to board members to discuss the issues behind the recall at a future date, Demers said.