Recall of school trustees advances

The county registrar certified recall petitions Monday against two Capistrano Unified School District trustees.

No date has been set for a recall election against Sheila Benecke and Marlene Draper, who have come under fire for allegations of mismanagement. A special election will probably be held by the district after the June 3 primary election.

Critics say the two were members of the board’s “old guard,” which was accused of violating open-meeting laws by discussing in closed session construction contracts and how to silence a district critic.

Draper, who rejected the allegations, said she intended to fight the recall and remain on the board. Benecke could not be reached for comment.

More than 62,000 signatures were submitted on the petitions. Proponents needed only 20,493 signatures to qualify for the ballot, said Registrar Neal Kelley.

-- David Reyes