Teaching Santa Ana’s Expelled Students

Some of the school district’s toughest and most troubled students may soon be able to attend classes at Hermandad Mexicana Nacional, one of the county’s largest Latino rights organizations, which also is under investigation for alleged voter fraud.

In about three months, Santa Ana Unified School District officials will decide whether to lease classroom space from Hermandad for students who have been expelled from the district.

In proposing the school, Santa Ana Unified is becoming part of a trend among school districts to provide as many options as possible to students, said Bill Habermehl, an associate superintendent with the Orange County Department of Education.

“We realize the old high school concept doesn’t work for all kids,” Habermehl said.

Students expelled from Santa Ana Unified and most other school districts now attend what are called “community schools,” or independent study programs run by the county education department.

But keeping some of Santa Ana Unified’s expelled students within the school district could improve their chances of returning to regular school, according to educators.

“The best place for students is in their home district,” Habermehl said. He added: “It may take weeks in another district for files to arrive and for teachers to familiarize themselves with the student.”

Many school districts do not open their own programs because they do not have the money or expertise, officials said.

A survey of local school districts indicates that the Westminster School District is the only one in Orange County to open its own school for expelled students. That school opened its doors in September 1996, administrator Ray Rodriguez said.

Last year, Assembly Bill 922 offered about $1,500 extra per student if districts opened up their own school for expelled students. Few districts have sought to open their own community schools, and Santa Ana Unified’s school would not be possible without AB 922 money, said Don Stabler, assistant superintendent for business services.

Santa Ana Unified expels more than 200 students a year, said Assistant Supt. Alfonsina Davies.

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In addition to expelled students, ranging from seventh- to 10th-graders, Santa Ana Unified’s community school may include students awaiting expulsion hearings and students placed on probation by the school district, according to a staff report.

Davies said Santa Ana Unified’s community school would start with 15 students and max out at 30. The rest of the expelled students would continue to attend county-run schools.

“This is just one other option for students who we thought might benefit from being in the district,” Davies said.

Officials said they are still fine-tuning the budget for the community school.

But Davies estimated that it would take $75,000 to pay for a teacher and supplies needed to open the school.

The school district could receive about $5,300 in state attendance money for each expelled student, or $79,500 for 15 students, said Peggy Adin, the director of pupil support services.

The main obstacle facing Santa Ana Unified is a location for the community school because of overcrowding in the district.

Nativo V. Lopez, Hermandad’s executive director and the president of Santa Ana Unified’s Board of Education, offered space at Hermandad’s offices for $1 a year. Hermandad also would provide furniture and 20 computers, free of cost, Lopez said.

Hermandad’s board of directors approved the arrangement last month, Lopez said.

District staff members said that the Hermandad site is the principal location being considered, although the proposal must go before the school board for approval.

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Hermandad and Lopez are under investigation by the Orange County district attorney and the California secretary of state for allegedly registering to vote noncitizens who may have cast ballots in the 1996 election.

A congressional committee also is looking into allegations of voter fraud in the election.

Lopez, who has denied any wrongdoing, said he does not fear Hermandad offices would ever be shut down, forcing the school to relocate.

Davis said there is no conflict of interest for Lopez because he would not profit from the arrangement.

Lopez said that he sees the school as rounding out Hermandad’s role in the community of providing a wide range of services.

“This is so the district can take care of their own,” he said. “We know these kids already. We know their history. They’re already in the community.”

Santa Ana Unified Trustee Robert W. Balen said he has long supported a community school run by the district.

But he was unaware that Hermandad offices were being considered as the prime location.

He was unsure it was the best location, given the controversy surrounding the nonprofit organization.

“It certainly draws the school district into a relationship with Hermandad, and I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing, at this point,” Balen said.

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Students Expelled

Expulsions from Orange County schools have declined after a big increase in the early ‘90s:

School Year Expulsions

1992-93 644

1996-97 642

Top Reasons for Expulsion, 1996-97

* Marijuana possession

* Knife possession

* Firearm/firearm look-alike possession

* Dangerous weapon possession

* Stealing/vandalizing school property

Source: Orange County Department of Education