Trustees uneasy about school unification proposal

Angelique Flores

FOUNTAIN VALLEY -- Fountain Valley trustees aren’t looking favorably

upon unifying the school district along city boundaries after reviewing

its possible effect on the community.

At last week’s board meeting, Steve McMahon, the district’s assistant

superintendent of business, showed how the district would fare after

taking in all of the city’s schools. A move such as this would absorb

schools from not only Huntington Beach Union High School District, but

also Ocean View and Garden Grove Unified school districts. It would also

kick back its Huntington Beach-based schools to one of that city’s school

districts.

If the board supports unification, it must meet the nine

reorganization criteria established by the state Department of Education:

* adequate enrollment of both the school districts;

* a strong community identity;

* equitable division of property and facilities;

* no discrimination or segregation;

* no increased cost to the state;

* continuation of a sound education program;

* student housing that will not incur significant cost to the state;

* no negative effect on property values;

* maintenance of the fiscal status and management.

According to the criteria, the effect on enrollment, assets, state

costs and property values would be acceptable in a unification along city

lines. However, there could be resistance in part of the surrounding

community.

Ocean View and Garden Grove district officials have expressed great

displeasure with a potential loss of their schools and lack of

facilities. Though located in Fountain Valley, some of the schools in

these districts have a majority of students who live in Huntington Beach.

Reorganization could also divide the schools, resulting in the

segregation of ethnic groups. The loss of Fountain Valley’s Huntington

Beach-based schools may also be a contentious point, as it was in a

similar unification effort that was defeated in the 1970s

In 1976, the district tried unsuccessfully to unify schools within

city limits. The efforts involved Garden Grove Unified, Huntington Beach

City, Huntington Beach Union High and Ocean View school districts. The

endeavor was defeated by voters.

Other major drawbacks would be the inability to immediately provide

access to equal programs districtwide and a lower revenue limit that

would prevent a common salary schedule and equal materials and equipment.

The projected income would be insufficient to bring all employees up to

the highest salary schedule, which could limit the ability to attract

more senior employees.

Other predicted problems are a potential need for Fountain Valley

Unified to shut down schools without students transferring in from other

districts, a loss of often-used meeting space to house an increased

district staff and a financial and emotional drawback to losing the

schools in Huntington Beach.

In addition, a loss of openness, accessibility and sense of family

would be more difficult to maintain in a larger district. Further, the

likelihood of state approval is lessened using city boundaries.

“There are enough negatives to put up red flags at the state level,”

McMahon advised the board.

The financial effects, as well as those on the facilities, make it a

better deal for Fountain Valley to unify along district lines, he added.

The most compelling reason to move forward with it is to appease the

city’s residents who expect to go to Fountain Valley schools, McMahon

said.

However, some evidence in support of the change includes more of a

savings because of the economies of scale that would allow the district

to buy in bulk and a large support by Fountain Valley residents in the

northern part of the city.

Still, the board doesn’t seem to think these benefits are enough.

“I’m not interested in doing this at all,” Trustee Robert Sedlak said.

With unification along district lines -- that is, taking in only

Huntington Beach Union’s Fountain Valley and Valley Vista high schools --

all of the nine criteria could be met and would favor the Fountain Valley

School District in the long run.

Benefits to come with unifying along district lines would include

gaining more local control, educational continuity from kindergarten

through high school, increased efficiency in running the district,

facility improvements and financial gains, McMahon said.

“We’re an elementary school district taking on the challenge of a high

school,” Trustee Julie Larson said. “I’m concerned we would get ourselves

into a hole [if the district unified on city lines]. I don’t know if we

can meet those demands immediately. I don’t think we’re ready for it.”

McMahon suggested the board consider unifying first along district

lines to get the increased revenue limit. Once the new district has a

good solid financial standing, then the new board could look at other

Fountain Valley schools in the other districts.

An outside consultant will conduct a more detailed fiscal analysis of

unification along district lines with Huntington Beach City School

District. Most likely, the board will not pursue further analysis of

unification along district lines.

“It’s not feasible because of all the negatives,” Trustee Joanne Lew

said.

The district’s Action Committee for Education is putting together a

survey on unification it hopes to make public by Feb 1.

“We’re trying to get as much input as possible, relative to how people

feel about unification,” Supt. Marc Ecker said.

The surveys will be sent to all parents in the district, the Fountain

Valley Chamber of Commerce, senior citizen locations and possibly other

organizations. It will include information on the unification, as well as

questions.

“We’ve never shied away from doing something because it’s hard.

However, it’s good reason to shy away from of it if the benefits are not

as promising even if accomplished,” Ecker said.

A public hearing is scheduled for Jan. 18. The board will hold another

study session in February with the hopes of making a decision on

unification in March.

If the plan is approved, it would take at least until 2003 to organize

the new district.