Cost of Cultural Sensitivity Plan for Alhambra Schools Disputed

Two of the authors of a plan to promote cultural sensitivity in Alhambra schools are disputing a $200,000 price tag affixed to the program.

The board of the Alhambra City and High School Districts is expected to review the program again Tuesday after putting off a decision earlier this month when it learned the educational effort to promote racial harmony could cost more than $200,000.

Human Relations Committee chairman Jose Calderon, whose group came up with seven recommendations under consideration, said the board’s willingness to look at the document is a sign that school officials are putting a high priority on racial harmony at the schools.

Both Calderon and committee co-chair Marina Tse say they do not think implementing the recommendations would cost as much as estimated.

Calderon challenged the school district’s estimated costs for teacher time and personnel increases, saying costs could be reduced by calling on area colleges and other community members to work for free. Calderon is a professor of sociology at Pitzer College in Claremont.

The plan includes programs to reduce racial tensions, implementation of a uniform discipline policy, an assessment of the district’s affirmative action policies and a review of the ways students are grouped.

The board has temporarily suspended the advisory committee since December, when district administrators started a cost analysis of the proposals. Calderon and Tse both said it is time for the board to start meeting again.