SOUTH VALLEY OF DENIAL… When the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) yanked King City High’s accreditation last week, Squid thought it couldn’t get any worse. It did.

First there was King City Mayor JEFF PEREIRA’S twisted tune: “This could be the best thing to happen to our high school in a long time!”  Incoming principal DAN LUNT sang along: “It’s not an easy or happy time, but there’s a lot of good coming from it.”

Might Squid suggest a dictionary? “Best” and “good” describe things like achievement. Not failure.

Then there was interim superintendent Jeanne Howland, spewing to a local rag that “the school and its parent district haven’t communicated to parents the importance of involvement in school programs.”

Irony’s a bitch. WASC’s biggest complaint? No one in any position of authority takes responsibility, but sits back blaming students, parents, and the board.

Here’s what Squid wants to hear: “We [bleeped] up. We encouraged kids to stay in school, only to screw them. We were paid to do better. We were told in 1998, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, and twice in 2007 that we had a problem. But we looked the other way.

“We are clear that there’s a problem, and here’s what we’re going to do to fix it.”

SHOW AND DON’T TELL… Squid isn’t easily won over by cute renderings and fancy maps, so Squid was unimpressed when various county jurisdictions had a Powerpoint competition July 13 to show redevelopment progress on Fort Ord.

First up was DAVID GAZEK of Federal Development, the firm behind The Resort at Del Rey Oaks. Gazek presented a plan that includes two hotels, a golf course and 691 units split between condos, town homes and single-family dwellings. “Hopefully none of these uses surprise anyone,” Gazek said.

Squid wasn’t jostled by the Pasadera-like proposal. But the amount of homes would likely shock Del Rey Oaks residents since Federal has yet to share the same information with the town that would more than double in size under the plan. Gazek said Federal has done “public outreach” and will continue to do so. Hmm…Squid guesses that means more closed door meetings with the DRO City Council.

Squid felt some sympathy for Monterey Mayor CHUCK DELLA SALA, who presented after Marina and their construction photos, colored maps and three developments already in the works. Della Sala quickly went through his un-illustrated, black-and-white Powerpoint. Monterey is awaiting transfer of 136 acres of Fort Ord land, where Della Sala said the city might build workforce housing for its police officers and firefighters. Squid wonders when Monterey will get the opportunity to provide shelter for its bigger workforce of busboys and housekeepers.