Fundamental Schools Survey Gets Go-Ahead

Parents and school officials could not agree this week on the definition of the district’s fundamental schools, but the district has agreed to draw up surveys asking parents if they want more of them anyway.

The issue came before the Santa Ana Unified School District trustees Tuesday, at the request of President Sal Mendoza, who indicated that he favored expanding the number of fundamental schools.

The current fundamental campuses are Greenville and John Muir elementary schools and Douglas MacArthur Intermediate School.

About a dozen parents addressed the board during the two-hour debate.

On paper, fundamental schools emphasize parent involvement, patriotism and dress codes. But school officials and parents pointed out that many other schools in the district have strikingly similar policies.

“Instead of jumping the gun and making all schools fundamental, let’s make sure everyone knows what the difference is, and just how small it is,” said Kathi Jo Brunning, president of the Santa Ana Council of PTAs.

Mendoza acknowledged that the appeal of fundamental schools may be nothing more than the name, but some board members said that parents are demanding more of them.

At the next meeting in two weeks, the board will review and possibly approve questionnaires for district parents soliciting their opinions of fundamental schools.