CARMICHAEL – The San Juan Unified School District trustees approved a controversial plan Tuesday night to slim down summer school offerings beginning this year.
The cuts, however, are less devastating than originally proposed by district staff, maintaining more offerings for high school underclassmen who need summer school to continue enrollment in specialized programs.
To support the $5.1 million program, trustees approved the transfer of $1.8 million from other district funds into the summer school budget, about $864,000 of which comes from the general fund.
Under the plan, the following students are eligible for summer school: any students who need a summer class in English or math to help them pass the exit exam, which is required for graduation; incoming 10th-, 11th- or 12th-graders needing a core academic class because they are credit deficient or need to make room in their schedule for a specialized program like band or International Baccalaureate; and any ninth- or 10th-grader needing to take physical education to make up a failing grade or make room for a specialized program.
The plan does not allow any student to take summer school to improve a course grade.
District officials have stressed the plan only covers this year's summer school program, and that further cuts or changes might be needed in future years.
For more information about summer school offerings, visit www.sanjuan.edu/ summerschool08.
– Kim Minugh
