Local Voices: Taming the Budget Beast

Who will tame the budget beast? 

Speculation is underway as to who will announce their candidacy for Capistrano Unified Board of Trustees.  The school district is facing a $51 million deficit.  You don't make too many friends with cuts this big.  The last Board of Trustees lost three members when they had to cut $21 million.

I'm hearing a parent group is seeking candidates for the upcoming general election. Word on the street is that a group of football boosters are fielding candidates following the termination of some popular coaches.  A former elected official is rumored to have an interest in the post and of course there will be others.

The voter approval of Measure H has made it possible for a well-known figure in a community to get elected without the deep pockets of the teachers' union.  This measure created elections by district rather than at large.  Expect a parent active in youth sports to be taking a hard look at an open school board seat.

Gary Pritchard, who is up for election, represents Aliso Viejo.  He has indicated an intention to run again.  Will he want to stay following the sure to be ugly budget cuts that are going to occur?  Time will tell.