Orange County, CALIFORNIA

Those year in review stories are often revealing.

The Orange County Register (Orange County, CA) recalls the Education Year in Review.

JANUARY

El Modena High School Principal Brent Bailey Principal Bret Bailey [TT Link] quits his job following a misdemeanor charge against him for engaging in lewd conduct in public.

Bailey, 56, was accused of trying to engage in lewd activities at a park in Fullerton, authorities said. The arrest was made during a sting operation set up by the Fullerton Police Department. Bailey later pleaded guilty.

FEBRUARY

– A teacher at Santa Margarita Catholic High School is put on administrative leave over concerns involving an annual tour of Europe he led, and the principal is put on leave for failing to respond appropriately to the concerns.

Officials at the Diocese of Orange say principal Lawrence Monroe didn't act accordingly on accusations of misconduct against teacher Eric Hansen during a class trip to Europe.
The Sheriff's Department looked into the situation, but didn't find enough evidence to proceed with an investigation. Monroe was later allowed to return as principal. Hansen was then fired. The diocese did not reveal the reason.

Best quote from article: "It is against California law to get into specifics about why we fired the teacher and what happened on the trip," Horan said. "But the teacher will no longer work in any of our schools."

MAY - The newly-hired Superintendent of Capistrano Unified School District decided against taking the job, citing "uncertainty and instability" in the district.

JUNE

– Former Capistrano Unified School District superintendent James Fleming [TT - Link] was indicted on charges of misappropriating public funds in creating an "enemies list" of political foes, making him the highest-ranking school official ever indicted in Orange County.

Fleming, who retired in 2006 after 15 years in charge of the district, was charged with three felony counts that could result in four years in prison. He has pleaded not guilty; his case is pending.

Also in June,

– A former secretary at El Toro High School is charged with stealing more than $150,000 collected via athletic fees, donations and parents' and students' fundraising efforts.

Carlotta McCarthy, 56, of Mission Viejo, took money from the El Toro High athletic boosters while working as a secretary in the athletics department. She pleaded guilty in court, was sentenced to a year of house arrest and ordered to pay back $150,000.

Inexplicably, the education year ends in June.

IN ANOTHER OC Register article on a 12-month Year in Review in Aliso Viejo, they note another teacher arrest.

APRIL Michelle Rossi, 36, is accused of a year-long relationship with a 14-year-old female student nine years ago when she was a teacher at a San Bernardino middle school.

[The newspaper does not recall Rossi's no contest plea in October and sentencing in November. Or the fact that she must register as a sex offender for the rest of her life. TT - Link ]