Carpinteria Unified approves BP 34-70, authorizes up to $22.5 million in judgment bonds to settle abuse case

The Carpinteria Unified School District Board of Education adopted an updated Board Policy on debt issuance (BP 34-70) and approved Resolution No. 25-941 authorizing the issuance and sale of judgment obligation bonds not to exceed $22,500,000 to fund a settlement in Superior Court case 22CV04877.

The board took the actions during a special meeting that included public comment opposing the use of new debt to pay legal settlements and concerns that a previously posted meeting video was not in the district’s routine locations. Staff said a validation action will be filed in Superior Court and the district expects to seek financing in the private market early next year.

Union representative: public comments and opposition A union representative told the board the district did not post the Oct. 14 meeting video in the usual locations and said the district was seeking to increase its ability to incur debt "so it can pay off fines and legal penalties associated with the district's past sins." The commenter urged trustees not to approve BP 34-70 and later urged the board not to approve "resolution number 25-941." The comment argued the policy and resolution would let current officials avoid accountability for past unlawful behavior.

Policy adoption Staff clarified that BP 34-70 is "just a policy on debt issuance and management" and,…