Capistrano Schools Closer to Charter Status

Capistrano Unified School District scored a victory this week in its ongoing effort to run its 41 schools outside the bounds of the state Education Code.

By a 33-1 vote, the state Senate approved a bill aimed at streamlining the process for Capistrano Unified to draft a charter district proposal. SB 1705, sponsored by Sen. Bill Morrow (R-Oceanside), goes next to the Assembly. If passed and signed into law, it would ease the path for the district to become the state’s largest charter district.

Officials for the 43,600-student district, Orange County’s third largest and one of its fastest growing, said charter status offers the best chance to increase classroom creativity and gain fiscal and administrative autonomy. Without the burden of state oversight, the district could use money to make classes smaller, get more computer access or add Asian language classes for students, Supt. James A. Fleming said.

Administrators have yet to detail what they would do if Capistrano Unified were to become a charter district. But the bill would enable the district to get state funds for construction, something other charter schools cannot do, said Mike Kilbourn, a lobbyist for the Orange County Department of Education who helped develop the legislation. That would be important to a district that plans to open four new schools this fall.

Sen. Richard Mountjoy (R-Arcadia), the lone senator to vote against the bill, said the measure is unnecessary and could reduce parent control in schools.

“He thinks it hurts charter schools more than it helps, taking the parents’ responsibility and role out,” said Peggy Mew, Mountjoy’s chief of staff.

“Current law already allows charter school districts, and greater flexibility and choice to parents.”

Thursday’s vote took place less than a month after the bill faced its first Senate committee. On May 3, the Education Committee passed it unanimously, and the Appropriations Committee approved it Wednesday, 8-3.

Legislative approval wouldn’t grant the district charter status but would make the application process easier. To become a charter district, it would need approval from at least half its teachers, backing from its school board and support from state education officials.

Capistrano Unified would not have to provide an alternative arrangement for teachers or students who don’t want to be in a charter environment, as charter schools now must.

However, students would be allowed to transfer to other districts if they preferred a traditional school program.

The bill also guarantees employees’ collective bargaining rights, which current charter legislation doesn’t.