BREA : Transfers Banned From Two Schools
Hoping to boost enrollment in two of the district’s smallest schools, the Brea-Olinda Unified School District has adopted a new policy that will make it more difficult for students to transfer to other schools.
By unanimous vote, the Board of Education Monday banned student transfers from Laurel Elementary School and Olinda Elementary School, starting in school year 1993-94.
In addition, students coming from other districts who want to attend Brea-Olinda schools would be directed either to Laurel or Olinda until enrollment in those schools reaches what officials describe as the ideal numbers.
Monday’s board action ended months of debate on how to increase the Laurel school’s enrollment, which has stayed around 270 to 280 in the past five years.
“This is a shot in the arm,” said Margie McMillan, president of the Laurel School Parents-Teachers Assn.
The new policy should help increase Laurel’s student population, now at 285, to 400 students in a few years. A recent district study showed that except for Olinda Elementary School, district schools must have at least 400 students to run programs effectively.
Olinda, the smallest district school, now has 207 students. Officials hope to keep enrollment from falling below 200.
Under the new policy, students who are living within Laurel’s attendance area but attending other schools will be allowed to finish there. But siblings just starting school have to enroll at Laurel.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
