SANTA ANA : District to Apply for Federal Bilingual Aid
Despite strong opposition from two members, school district trustees have decided to apply for more than $6.5 million in federal grants to pay for bilingual education programs.
School board member Tom Chaffee, who opposed the application, likened receiving federal money, with all the strings attached, to being “handcuffed by the feds.”
“No amount of money is worth the amount of freedom we will lose,” added school board member Rosemarie Avila, who cited the grant requirement that children be taught in English and Spanish until the fourth grade.
But the three other school board members said Tuesday that the programs funded by federal money would help students trying to learn English.
“We have to be sure each and every student has the opportunity to succeed,” board member Sal Mendoza said.
About 10 speakers, including students in existing bilingual education programs, urged the trustees to apply for the money. John Palacio, a member of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said the federal money was needed, and said he spoke for four other Latino advocacy groups.
The money, to be distributed over a five-year period, would pay for programs for children in kindergarten through 12th grade.
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