Westwood : Fernald School Resolution

A state legislative resolution asking UCLA Chancellor Charles E. Young and the Regents of the University of California to reconsider a decision to close the Fernald School next month will be presented to the regents today in San Francisco.

The resolution was approved by an Assembly subcommittee Tuesday and has broad support among legislators, according to James E. Turner, chief education consultant for Assemblywoman Teresa P. Hughes (D-Los Angeles) who initiated the legislation.

Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco), Assemblyman Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica) and Assemblywoman Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) joined Hughes in introducing the bill, and co-authors are Sens. David A. Roberti, Herschel Rosenthal and Diane Watson, all Democrats from Los Angeles.

Shelley Bates, who is Brown’s representative on the Board of Regents, said she expects a substantive discussion and not just a ceremonial presentation of the resolution, which is expected to be introduced to the full Assembly next week.

In March, the regents heard appeals from the Friends of Fernald against the closure of the school for learning-handicapped children, but the board refused to overturn Young’s decision.

“Since that time, the regents have received more information,” said Bates. “If there is not a reversal of their decision (at today’s meeting), I do think there will be a more informed discussion.”