DANA POINT : School Board and City Council to Meet

A discussion of school dress codes and a proposed statewide initiative on cash vouchers for private schools will highlight tonight’s joint meeting of the board of trustees of the Capistrano Unified School District and the Dana Point City Council.

The meeting--the first ever of the two governmental bodies--is meant as “an opportunity for them to sit down at the table together and talk about items of mutual interest,” said Jacqueline Price, a school district spokeswoman.

“The meeting allows us the possibility of a dialogue we have never had before,” said City Councilwoman Karen Lloreda. The council called the meeting.

Officials are not expected to take any action on pending proposals. Instead, the meeting is designed to put several controversial topics on the table for discussion.

One of the liveliest issues may be school dress codes and the question of whether schools should set down regulations for what students can and cannot wear in class. The Capistrano district has already attempted to address the issue of gang attire, and Price said the dress code issue is “always an interesting question.”

Also promising hot debate is a proposal that could make it easier for parents to send their children to private schools.

The plan, which could make its way onto the November statewide ballot, would make private schools eligible for $2,500 vouchers from the state of California for each of their students.

The Capistrano district has come out against the proposal, known as the Parental Choice Initiative, and some board members tonight will probably try to get the council to join them in opposition.

Other topics on the table for discussion include a long-range master plan for the school district called Capistrano 2000, parking around Dana Hills High School, school bus stop locations, city funding of school events, plans for Aliso Niguel High School, and the potential sale of the district transportation center in Capistrano Beach.

The meeting will start at 7 p.m. at the district meeting room, 32972 Calle Perfecto, in San Juan Capistrano.