PLACENTIA : Trustees OK Plan for Student Transfer

A plan to transfer about a third of Brookhaven Elementary School students to four other district schools was given final approval this week by the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District trustees.

The plan sparked opposition from parents of Brookhaven students, who claim the move will weaken the school by drastically reducing enrollment. Parents have turned out en masse to protest the plan at every board meeting since district Supt. James O. Fleming announced his intentions May 4. However, as the board’s resolve to approve the plan became apparent, their numbers dwindled to just a handful at Tuesday night’s meeting.

At issue is the non-contiguous portion of Brookhaven’s enrollment area, located about five miles southeast of the school. Currently, that area contains about 170 students who are bused to Brookhaven.

Fleming’s proposal to assign those students to Van Buren, Glenview, Linda Vista and Tynes elementary schools would bring Brookhaven’s enrollment to 366, which includes students who seek inter-district and out-of-district transfers to attend the school.

But district officials expect actual enrollment to be higher as those students transferred to the other schools take advantage of a clause in the district’s policy that allows them to attend their present school. The district will not, however, provide transportation to those who decide to stay at Brookhaven.

Fleming said the action is consistent with the district’s policy of promoting neighborhood schools.

The boundary change will go into effect in September.