Just a reminder: IUSD schools will be closed all next week for the Thanksgiving holiday.

BY SUPERINTENDENT TERRY L. WALKER This month’s election has finally brought some clarity to IUSD’s budget outlook, and perhaps given rise to a little optimism.

Though a bigger celebration is being planned for the dedication, IUSD staged a modest groundbreaking ceremony this week for the new athletic facility that’s under construction at University High School.

On the eve of being honored by the Irvine Public Schools Foundation as one of IUSD’s distinguished alumni, former major-leaguer and University High grad Tim Wallach paid a visit to his old stomping grounds this week.

Sometime during the 1978-79 school year, this happened at Irvine High School. At first glance, taking a sledgehammer to the driver-side of a sedan might appear to be grounds for some disciplinary action, but this was actually a school-sanctioned event, and we can say with some confidence that no staff members’ cars were harmed.