SANTA ANA : District to Phase in New School Boundaries

The governing board of the Santa Ana Unified School District has decided to phase in boundary changes for four elementary schools over several years, a move that could eventually save the district almost $500,000 annually.

The board of education on Tuesday night unanimously approved a plan to alter the boundaries between Fremont and Santiago elementary schools and between Heninger and Roosevelt elementary schools to balance enrollment between the campuses.

More than 200 children who live in the affected areas and their siblings will be exempted from the changes and not forced to switch schools. However, new students will attend campuses based on the revised boundaries, said district spokeswoman Lucinda Hundley.

At Tuesday’s meeting, several parents applauded the board’s decision, noting that the district desperately needs the expected savings.

“In the long run, everyone’s going to win,” said parent Amanda Booth.

In May, the board narrowly rejected a proposal to implement the changes immediately, after more than 100 parents of students at Santiago protested the plan. Many parents objected to the transfer because they believe Santiago has better academic programs and because their children have already made friends there.

Under the new plan, enrollment should be balanced between the schools within a few years, Hundley said.

Once that balance is achieved, the district expects to earn more than $400,000 annually in state grant money by boosting enrollment at year-round schools, such as Fremont. It also expects to save about $48,000 by not having to buy extra classroom bungalows for Santiago and about $50,000 by eliminating busing, Hundley said.