Open enrollment, racial balance raises ire of many

-- ANDREW WAINER

High school students forced to attend schools to balance the student body

racial makeup was a controversial issue at the start of this year.

Because federal law requires the racial makeup of every school to be

balanced, some students found themselves barred from enrolling in their

chosen school because of their ethnicity.

The policy went against the Huntington Beach Union High School District’s

previous custom of letting students choose their high school.

The move angered many parents whose children were denied a transfer to

their school of choice, saying they felt their children were being held

captive.

District board member Matthew Harper challenged the ethnic-balance

provision.

“I want to replace the language that currently exists that calls for

race- and ethnicity-based quotas with a prohibition on discrimination and

preferential treatment on the basis of race,” he said.

The open enrollment debate created tension between Harper and the other

members of the board.

Although other board members supported amending the ethnic balance

provision, Harper wanted the rule abolished.

The issue was settled in May when the board voted 4-1 to allow 52 white

Ocean View High School students to attend the school of their choice.

Previously, they were told they could not transfer.