Capistrano Unified School District

Capistrano Unified School District(CUSD) is the largest school district inOrange County,California, United States. It is the 9th largest district in the stateand the 78th largest in the country.The district currently has 54,036 studentsand administers 33elementary schools, twoK-8 schools, tenmiddle schools, six comprehensivehigh schools, fivecharter schools, and multiplealternative educationprograms.
CUSD has 40California Distinguished Schools, 11National Blue Ribbon Schools, 19 Golden Bell winning programs, and 36 California Business Honor Roll Schools, among many other award-winning schools and school programs.The district has a graduation rate of 97.2%, much higher than California's average of 85.1%. Every CUSD high school is ranked in the top 1000 US high schools byU.S. News & World Report.
Formed in 1965, Capistrano Unified School District encompasses 195 square miles (510 km) and employs 3,992 people, making it the largest employer in South Orange County.WithLaguna Beach Unified School District, it is part of theCollege and Career Advantage (formerly South Coast Regional Occupational Program)(ROP).
The school district serves all ofDana Point,Laguna Niguel,San Juan Capistrano, andSan Clemente. In addition, it serves the unincorporated areas ofLas Flores,Ladera Ranch,Coto de Caza, andRancho Mission Viejo. The school district also serves portions ofMission Viejo,Rancho Santa Margarita, andAliso Viejo. A tiny portion of Aliso Viejo and a tiny portion ofLaguna Beachoff El Toro Road south of Aliso Creek Road are contracted out to theLaguna Beach Unified School Districtin Laguna Beach. However, students who live in those areas typically choose to attend the schools in the Capistrano district due to the convenience. Also, whileLaguna Woodshas no schools due to it being a retirement community, students who live with relatives in the area may choose to attend schools in the Capistrano district.
In 1994, a science teacher refused to teachevolutionbecause he felt it was a religion. InPeloza v. Capistrano School District, theNinth Circuit Court of Appealsruled in favor of the school district.
In 2012, Capistrano Unified School District was found guilty for the wrongful death of three-year old Kevin Cisler, who slowly asphyxiated to death on a bus ride home from preschool. The bus driver and CUSD employees failed to properly secure Kevin in his seat, which resulted in the child asphyxiating with the incorrect placement of his chest restraint and seat belt. InCisler v. Capistrano Unified School Districtthe jury found CUSD guilty and negligent in its actions.
In 2015, a principal was removed from San Clemente High School.  This prompted community outrage and resulted in the removal of the assistant superintendent.
Controversies regarding district management have prompted two efforts to recall school board members.
Between 2013 and 2019, Capistrano Unified School District has displayed discrimination against children withautism. Students with autism were punished more frequently than other students (i.e. detentions, suspensions). When parents publicly complained about this, Capistrano Unified School District sentcease and desistletters to those parents and threatened legal action in order tosilencethem.
The Capistrano Unified School District has a seven-member board of trustees, with each trustee representing one of seven geographic areas within the school district. Each trustee is elected to a four-year term of office. Trustees must reside in the area they represent.
Current board of trustees:
The board of trustees is the policy-making body for the school district. It is charged with providing a quality educational program for students in kindergarten through grade 12 in accordance with the California Constitution, the laws of the state, adopted board policies, and the desires of the community.
As elected officials, trustees are state officers responsible for the governance of a political subdivision of the state. The school district is independent of city and county governments, but cooperates with them. In addition to establishing school district policies, the board adopts an annual budget and approves all expenditures, employment decisions, curricula, textbooks, and courses of study, and makes decisions on school sites, building plans and construction contracts. Trustees have no power to act individually in the name of the board. Formal action can be taken only when the board is in session with a quorum of at least half of the trustees.
The administration of the school district is delegated by trustees to a professional administrative staff headed by the superintendent. The superintendent acts as secretary to the board of trustees.
Superintendents since unification: