Erin Kutnick’s Blog

Late last week, Trustee Ken Maddox commented on the Beyond the Blackboard Blog basically calling me a member or supporter of the KKK.   This malicious and untrue comment is a thinly-veiled attempt to try to divert the attention away from his failed record as a trustee.  His personal and public attacks just further demonstrate why he is the target of a recall. 

Here are the real issues:

1. Maddox forced a special election just a few months before a regular election that cost our district $800,000. That money came directly out of the classroom.

2. Maddox voted to award out-of-court settlements to his friends and campaign supporters, again, taking more money out of the classroom and raising serious questions regarding a conflict of interest.

3. Maddox made disparaging remarks about PTA volunteers on a blog and has still not apologized.

4. Maddox voted to fire Superintendent Carter, a move that has resulted in over $360,000 in legal fees and climbing.

5. Maddox voted to initiate a lawsuit against three separate government agencies to fight an election change that was initiated by his constituents to the tune of $32,000+.  This is on top of the $60,000 that was spent on attorneys to fight the petitioners during the public hearing.

6. Maddox has made derogatory comments to parents and community members during board meetings including calling the audience the “peanut gallery”, refusing to speak into the microphone, and cutting speakers off while they were talking.

7. Maddox is supposed to represent Trustee Area 5 which is in Aliso Viejo however no one seems to know where he lives raising questions as to his true residency.

This is what we should all be concerned about.  He and Trustee Winsten have lost the confidence of the public and they need to be removed from office.  Digging up a 1999 memo that has nothing to do with what is going on today is just a political ploy to try to escape the tough issues and questions that are relevant.

These types of comments from Maddox show exactly why the public has not been able to work with the board.  His attitude and insults speak volumes as to how he views his constituency and the parents who support this district. Maddox is fostering hate and intolerance in our district and it does not benefit anyone, least of all the students.