SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO : Community Service Proposal Abandoned

Trustees in Capistrano Unified School District abandoned a proposal this week to make community service a requirement for high school graduation, saying they didn’t want to burden students with more work.

Instead of mandating community service, a majority of the trustees said they would support adding service projects to high school social studies classes and expanding projects for students in middle and elementary schools.

The action came as trustees continued debate on the “Capistrano 2000” document, a massive plan that will guide the school district into the next century. The plan includes 14 goals, with general action plans ranging from getting more parents involved in the school district to creating safe and healthy schools.

More than 400 parents, teachers, administrators, community leaders and business leaders have worked to develop the plan that was started last March.

In April, the Board of Trustees is expected to take a final vote on all parts of the plan, except for a section dealing with second languages and how best to teach students with limited English skills.

Trustees on Monday asked for more information on various bilingual teaching theories, saying it would be useful in helping them decide about the second-languages section of the plan, which has drawn the most debate during past hearings.

Once the plan is adopted, school officials will develop more specific programs to meet the various goals.