San Juan district anguishes over summer cutbacks

Crippled by the angst of choosing which students should be the priority, San Juan Unified trustees tabled a decision Tuesday night about how to downsize the district's summer school program.

They voted 3-1, with one trustee abstaining, to revisit the issue in two weeks, allowing staff members time to consider alternatives presented at the meeting by parents.

But trustees admitted the two-week delay is not likely to make the decision any easier – nor bring any happier news about the state's budget situation. In the end, trustees acknowledged, they will be asked to put some students ahead of others.

"This is what happens in a state that's not funded adequately (for education)," said Superintendent Steven Enoch. "It's either your left hand or your right hand. It's a terrible situation we're facing."

Before the trustees was a proposal that would have limited summer school offerings to: any high school student needing an English or math class to help pass the exit exam, any incoming junior or senior who was deficient in credits, and any junior or senior needing summer school to continue enrollment in a specialized program, such as band or International Baccalaureate.

The plan also called for summer and after-school cuts at the elementary and middle school levels, as well as the transfer of money from other funds – including the catch-all General Fund – to boost summer offerings at the high school level.

The proposal came in response to changes in state funding that have limited districts' ability to pay for remedial summer school at the high school level.

Specifically, the changes narrowed the definition of "remediation" to apply only to students who have not yet passed the exit exam and need an English or math class to help them pass.

That has forced districts, including San Juan Unified, to dip into other summer school funds – most of which are capped – to pay for any other offerings, such as remediation for students who have passed the exit exam but are struggling toward graduation, or those who rely on summer school to make room in their schedule for electives, special programs or accelerated academic classes.

More than a hundred parents showed up at Tuesday's meeting, most pleading with the board to continue summer school offerings for students needing to free up space in their schedules.

Parents stressed that electives, such as band and student government, not only help students grow personally, but also help them remain competitive in a high-stakes college entrance environment.

"Grade-point average alone does not buy it any more," said parent Sheila Bose.

Others urged the district to look at other funding options for an expanded summer school program. They also asked that options – such as online courses or seven-period schedules – be considered as replacements for summer school.

"You have an obligation to research additional funding methods and find creative funding solutions," said parent Tara May. "We cannot, as a community, leave our children unprepared for college or their future."

Trustees appeared fractured in the debate, with three different motions suggesting how to proceed. The common thread, however, was a frustration with what is likely to become a recurring discussion in coming months: too many needs and not enough funds.

"This is the front of the tsunami," said trustee Larry Miles. "This issue is the water receding, and the tsunami is impending."

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