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Schools

Supt. Jeffrey Hubbard Draws Crowd to PTA Meeting in Corona del Mar

The embattled superintendent said he would share "every bloody detail" of his case as soon as he could.

It was a tight squeeze at Tuesday morning's PTA meeting at Corona del Mar High School, thanks in large part to the attendance of N-MUSD's .

Hubbard, who has been in the spotlight since charges of misappropriation of public funds began last year, said at the start of the meeting that he would not be discussing his case.

“It’s exciting that the press has come to celebrate the CDM home tour and all the great things about the school,” Hubbard joked. “For legal reasons, I cannot talk about legal issues. However, when this is over, I will share every bloody detail.”

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Hubbard also made an interesting reference to the Pledge of Allegiance, and emphasized "justice for all." But most of his address was directed toward leaving the “sage on the stage” teacher-oriented art of teaching, and moving toward the "art of learning" focus.

“That kind of approach hurts kids,” he said, referring to the historical method of teaching. "The districts emphasis is to identify kids who are not learning and develop interventions to help them."

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He also discussed the state budget and explained that because the N-MUSD is locally funded, it's easier for the district to weather the storm. 

“We are blessed by having quality people work here and by the quality of kid brought here,” Hubbard said in closing.

Also at the meeting

  • The annual home tour grossed about $180,000. It was considered a huge success during a down economy.
  • School counselor Alison Hatcher provided an update on counseling and college applications. Hatcher said teachers and counselors spend a great deal of time preparing students for college, including writing letters of recommendation to help them get into the college of their choice.
  • Advisor Marianne Scott explained the benefits of the college preparatory training software Naviance. The cost has more than quadrupled, now $8,000, but is well worth it, according to Scott.
  • Scott also raised the issue of teacher burnout due to writing hundreds of letters for students. Scott explained that teachers spend weekends and evenings writing the letters and recommends that they be compensated. The PTA suggested a stipend. Principal Timothy Bryan said it would be reviewed.
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