Court Ruling Delays Merger of 2 Prestigious Private Schools

The headmaster of the Harvard School for boys said Tuesday that he remains confident the school’s proposed merger with the Westlake School for girls will go through, despite a Los Angeles Superior Court ruling delaying it until after a Dec. 22 hearing.

Headmaster Thomas C. Hudnut said a lawsuit filed by parents of Westlake students opposed to merging the two prestigious private schools has slowed preparations for the linkup.

“We won’t swing into high gear until all objections to the merger have been dealt with, and all legal remedies have been sought,” said Hudnut, who will preside over the merged institution.

Hudnut and Westlake Headmaster Nathan O. Reynolds announced merger plans on Oct. 3. The boards of directors of the schools had agreed to the merger informally and were prepared to take a final vote.

But the announcement elicited vigorous opposition from Westlake parents and alumni. Opponents argue that Westlake would be shortchanged in the merger, which gives Harvard a two-thirds majority on the joined board of directors. They also argue that girls are better served by single-sex education and that Harvard’s affiliation with the Los Angeles diocese of the Episcopal Church conflicts with Westlake’s non-sectarian traditions.

A lawsuit seeking an injunction against the merger was filed in Superior Court last week. Judge Miriam A. Vogel agreed Monday to hold a hearing Dec. 22. Attorneys for the school agreed not to take final action until that hearing is completed.

Hudnut said he remains confident “that the merger will go through and that it will be approved by both boards and that it will withstand all legal challenges.”