Effort to unify Fountain Valley schools moves forward

Angelique Flores

FOUNTAIN VALLEY -- After more than 20 years, the word “unify” is still

spray-painted on telephone poles along Magnolia Street. It is also still

on the minds of residents.

The Fountain Valley School District held a study session last week to

explore the prospect of converting to a unified school district.

“This is community-driven, not board-driven,” Trustee Tony McCombs

said.

The previous attempt in 1976 -- when supporters painted the city’s

poles with the word “unify” -- lost by 180 votes. Though the measure was

defeated, interest wasn’t.

About a month ago, Steve McMahon, the district’s assistant

superintendent of business, began to explore the option to unify the

school district.

Benefits that would come with such a move include gaining more local

control, educational continuity from kindergarten through high school for

student, increased efficiency in running the district, facility

improvements and financial gains, McMahon said.

But opponents could argue there is no real need to change, he added.

Programs may lose effectiveness, and the district would also absorb

financial burdens of higher salaries and older facilities. Modernization

projects will continue regardless of the outcome.

Huntington Beach Union High School District could also see a financial

burden if more of their younger staff goes to the unified district,

leaving the high school district with a more senior staff.

“Typically, senior staff stays with their district because of the

unknowns” of a new district, McMahon said.

A more tenured staff also means more employees with higher salaries.

If the board supports unification, it must meet the nine

reorganization criteria established by the state Department of Education,

which include:

* 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.

“We could do this, should the board go ahead,” McMahon said.

The new district’s revenue would increase by $13 million, which could

be used to increase the salary schedule to attract more experienced

teachers. A unified district would also enable Fountain Valley to

increase the amount of money it could seek in a bond election.

McMahon’s initial review indicates all of the nine criteria could be

met and would favor the Fountain Valley School District in the long run.

However, this review examines only unification along district boundaries

-- that is, adding Huntington Beach Union High School District’s Fountain

Valley and Valley Vista high schools.

“That’s the path of least resistance,” Councilman Larry Crandall said.

“I’m not sure it would satisfy the constituents I answer to.”

Some supporters would like unification to include all schools in

Fountain Valley, which would extend to schools from Ocean View and Garden

Grove Unified school districts.

“There are many ways to slice an apple,” said Crandall, adding that he

hopes the board will consider unification along city lines. “I think [the

board is] required to look at all possibilities. You shouldn’t use tunnel

vision.”

The sense of community in Fountain Valley is tight, Trustee Julie

Larson said.

“I think it’s going to be more difficult to do along city lines

because it involves more entities and voters,” McMahon said.

Larson suggested tackling unification along city lines, bit by bit,

pulling in the high schools first and later broadening the effort to

include Fountain Valley schools from other districts.

McMahon will research the feasibility of a unified district along city

boundaries using the state’s criteria.

The board must still review other options, hold more study sessions

and hear public input.”It could be a definite win-win,” said Larson, who

is anxious to hear more public input.

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

to get everything in place, including a new school board and

superintendent, officials say.