SACRAMENTO — State lawmakers have failed to renew a law that allows students to easily change schools, possibly putting more than 370 Valley students in limbo just as classes start.
The program in question allows students to cross boundaries to attend a "school district of choice" without getting permission from the student's home district. Other programs that allow students to transfer with the agreement of both districts continue as normal.
The "districts of choice" law expired on July 1 and lawmakers did not pass an extension before they left for summer break in late July. As a result, home districts could now potentially call their students back. About 5,000 students statewide could be affected.
The Legislature will reconvene Monday, but it could still take several days or weeks until lawmakers cast final votes on a bill to extend the program.
Senate Bill 680 — which sets a new sunset date of 2016 — cleared the Senate. But the bill has faced opposition in the Assembly, where some lawmakers fear that the program causes financial hardships for districts on the losing end of transfers.
In Fresno and Tulare counties, there are four "districts of choice." The districts — in Delano, Tulare and Auberry — rely heavily on luring students from larger neighboring districts. Students move for various reasons. Some want to go to smaller schools. For others it's a matter of convenience because a school in a neighboring district might be closer, officials said.
State Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles, who wrote SB 680, said she's asking for "goodwill" from districts so that students aren't forced to change schools. "Our message is for parents to continue to send the child to the school of their choice," she said.
But at least one district in the Valley said it would consider trying to pull students back.
"If there's a chance to get those youngsters back, why not?" said Robert Aguilar, superintendent of Delano Union School District. The district, in Kern County, loses an estimated 32 students to Columbine Elementary School District in southern Tulare County, Aguilar said.
Delano could get more money from the state if its enrollment goes up. But for Columbine and other small districts, the choice law is a lifeline. Columbine gets roughly 75% of its more than 200 students from neighboring districts in Delano, Pixley, Earlimart, Richgrove and other towns, officials said.
Waukena Joint Union Elementary in Tulare also uses the choice law, drawing 78 of its 225 students from beyond its borders, according to Romero's office.
Corcoran Unified, which loses students to Waukena, will not try to bring them back, said Superintendent Rich Merlo. If "that's where their parents want them, I don't see us making an issue out of it," he said.
The bill to extend the program is backed by EdVoice, a school advocacy group funded by wealthy philanthropists, including developer Eli Broad.
Republicans have supported the bill. To overcome opposition from some Democrats, the bill was recently amended to give more power to districts on the losing end of transfers. Officials could reject the transfer if they can prove it would cause a financial hardship.
Still, it is not clear if the bill will draw enough votes on the Assembly floor. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office said he supports the legislation.
Lawmakers last renewed the program in 2007, but put in new limits, including the early sunset date of this year and baring any new districts from declaring themselves districts of choice. SB 680 would once again free any district to participate.
A few rules are needed to help foster a feeling of community. We encourage a free and open exchange of ideas in a climate of mutual respect, but any post that violates someone's right to use and enjoy fresnobee.com is prohibited. Before you post, please read the terms of use and obey these simple guidelines.
Here are the ground rules:
Contents of this site are © Copyright The Fresno Bee. All rights reserved.
E-Mail
Print
@Nyx.CommentBody@