The Newport-Mesa Unified School District superintendent attended the Corona del Mar Middle and High schools PTA meeting this morning, not to discuss his legal problems but instead answering questions about why students have to attend school on a national holiday.
Jeffrey Hubbard has been charged with three felonies from his prior job in Beverly Hills; read more here. Hubbard was first charged in December and took a paid five-months leave of absence earlier this year.
On Wednesday, he told members of the PTA that he wanted to talk about education and could not comment about his legal battle.
“I really can not for obvious reasons,” he said, adding that after the case is resolved he would return.
“I will share with you every bloody detail,” he said. He also said he took comfort in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at the meeting’s start.
“It ends ‘and justice for all,’ and I certainly hope that’s the case,” he said.
Hubbard spoke generally about the importance of making sure students learn, and he said he thinks that California will have to create revenue, perhaps with a sales tax increase, in order to save education.
“I can’t imagine the state of California allowing the public education system to collapse, and we are almost at that point,” he said.
When parents had the chance to ask questions, parent Angela Evans asked why school was in session on Jan. 2, a national holiday.
“I’m concerned that my child comes to class and is one of ten and the teacher shows ‘Cars 2,” she said. Conversely, she said, students who miss class might be penalized if a teacher picks that day to cover important material.
Hubbard said the district followed county holidays several years ago and should not have scheduled school that day. He said he imagined that student and faculty attendance would be down.
“You’re right, it was an error,” he said.
“Everyone’s in a bad position here,” said CdMHS Principal Tim Bryan. “We’ll figure out a way to get through one day.”
Bryan also updated the group about why no changes had been made to the school’s pool lot, which came under fire in October.
Striping the lot to create three lanes of traffic would have improved flow, but fire lane requirements would not permit that solution, he said.
Jim Lamond, the district’s director of facilities, said he had discussed changing the lot’s configuration with Newport Beach city officials. The changes could include creating a separate bus lane in front of the school so that buses didn’t block traffic or get blocked in during peak pickup and drop-off times, as well as changing the exits and entrances to the lot.
The changes also could result in a few more parking spots, he said.
“Fingers crossed,” he said. “We’re actually looking at it as a possibility for next summer.”
The Corona del Mar Home Tour organizers also spoke at the meeting, saying that the Oct. 25 event had brought in more than $180,000 and could net $140,000 for school programs.
