Parents and residents urge council to bar trustee from Character Counts appearances after school-board slur; council says issue is outside its jurisdiction

Several parents and community members used the public-comment period at the May 20 Mission Viejo City Council meeting to urge the council to act after Capistrano Unified School District trustee Judy Balakas used a racial slur during a March board meeting.

Roger Perez, a Bathgate parent, asked the council to formally request that the trustee recuse herself from participating in Character Counts awards at Bathgate, citing the trustee's use of the slur and the school community's discomfort. Perez said he started a Change.org petition titled "No Judy at Bathgate Character Counts Awards," and that as of the meeting he had 227 verified signatures.

Fiona Carroll and teacher Kelly Anderson reported personal and staff concerns about the trustee representing Character Counts at Mathgate/Bathgate schools; Anderson, who identified herself as a 35-year educator, said staff and many parents do not feel comfortable with Balakas on campus. Stacy Holmes and others recounted events at an April school-board meeting where they said student speaking slots were filled with prepared material and that African American attendees were selectively removed from the meeting.

Council members repeatedly said the Capistrano Unified trustee matter is outside city jurisdiction. Council Member Vasquez and others expressed sympathy with speakers and recommended taking the concern to the Community of Character leadership or appropriate school-district channels; Council Member Goodell and others said the council lacks authority to discipline a school trustee. No action was taken by the council at the meeting.

The controversy also prompted broader comments about the city's character program and the message it sends to students; student and volunteer presenters earlier in the meeting stressed the program's focus on moral courage and inclusivity.