Possemato Rebuts Story

On Aug. 18 The Times carried “A Reversal of Fortune at Laguna Beach Unified,” which [likened] the status of affairs in the Laguna Beach Unified School District to a melodrama. Frankly, that is what the newspaper story is: a melodrama supported overwhelmingly by opinions and innuendo that defy reality.

Without question, the incorrect posting of a property tax installment of approximately $325,000 in three different budgets was a blow to the recovery process. The situation was exacerbated for [several] reasons.

Let me put some facts on the table:

My date for retirement was previously set as Feb. 3, 1997, although my contract runs through June 30, 1999.

The board never forced me out.

I offered the Board of Education four options because the pressure was mounting on the board by a community group that organized itself when the accounting error was reported.

In my letter to the board, I informed them that my preference was to retire on Feb. 3, 1997, and work until June 30, 1997, without salary because I did then and still do wish to be a part of the solution.

The real issue is that the district has expenses, including programs and salaries, that were once affordable and now are not affordable because property values are not growing, property tax refunds have eaten away at the income, and property value reductions have occurred.

That situation became clear in school year 1995-96 when the district became aware of the major impact that the bankruptcy in the 1994-95 school year had on the property tax decline. Since LBUSD relies almost exclusively on property tax for its income, the over-expenditures became clear and thus a dilemma. Any other explanation by other individuals is not significant when compared to this reality.

The cash flow of the district is in serious jeopardy. At the present time, LBUSD does not have in its accounts over $2.2 million that belongs to the district.

It is also apparent that the article relies almost totally on commentary such as “eating up reserve”, “sticking out like a sore thumb”, “spending what we didn’t have.” These comments make for good sound bites but are not accurate. The teachers, administrators and classified staff have maintained the quality of this district through the many crises that have confronted its fiber.

PAUL M. POSSEMATO

Laguna Beach