IRVINE

The City Council has endorsed a $145-million bond measure for the Santa Ana Unified School District. Now council members want something in return: the freedom for Santa Ana students to attend Irvine schools.

Irvine officials will ask school trustees in Santa Ana not to contest releases for students who live in parts of Irvine that belong to the Santa Ana district.

Since districts existed before many Orange County cities--including Irvine--were established, boundaries often overlap. While some western sections of Irvine are served by Santa Ana schools, the city’s Northpark village lies within Tustin’s school district.

“The Santa Ana school district has shown a reluctance to release students,” Irvine Councilman Greg Smith said. Santa Ana officials deny that there is a problem.