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CUSD Area 2 trustee addresses K–5 'Science of Reading' pilot; denies conflict over charter‑school donation
Summary
Trustee Lisa Zollinger told the LRCC she will pilot a K–5 'Science of Reading' language‑arts curriculum and invited a concerned resident onto the committee; she denied an allegation that a $2,000 campaign contribution from a charter school created a conflict of interest, saying she raised about $80,000 total.
Lisa Zollinger, CUSD Area 2 Trustee, reported to the Ladera Ranch Civic Council on March 17 that the district will pilot a new K–5 language‑arts curriculum called the "Science of Reading," which includes an increased focus on phonics.
A resident who identified as a former teacher raised concerns about the program; Zollinger invited that resident to join the committee reviewing the pilot.
During public comment another resident who identified as a "public school advocate" alleged that Zollinger accepted $2,000 from a charter school during her campaign and suggested the contribution created a conflict of interest in decisions about new charter approvals. Zollinger responded that she raised approximately $80,000 in total during the campaign and that the $2,000 contribution did not create a conflict.
Why it matters: curriculum adoption can affect classroom instruction across multiple grade levels, and allegations about campaign contributions raise questions about perceived conflicts during decisions that could involve charter‑school approvals. Zollinger encouraged community involvement in curriculum review.
No formal vote or board action was taken at the LRCC meeting on the curriculum or on charter‑school approvals.
