REBUTTAL

In response to Lance Pinkham’s letter, the Fountain Valley School

District Board of Trustees is indeed aware of the concerns of some of our

district’s parents who reside in Huntington Beach (“Unification may be

good for few, but not for everyone,” April 26).

Our recent parent survey indicated that support for unification is

less strong in the Huntington Beach neighborhoods because of issues

raised in Pinkham’s letter. However, in those same areas, parents have

indicated that their support grows knowing the Fountain Valley School

District would actively pursue an inter-district agreement with the

Huntington Beach Union High School District. Choice within the public

school system is strongly supported by the community and that is exactly

what our district intends to seek in cooperation with the high school

district.

Although there are no guarantees in life, one can’t imagine the high

school district declining this wonderful opportunity to retain those

students who currently reside within their attendance area. Other

successful breakaway unification efforts such as the one in Los Alamitos

have resulted in such an agreement.

Pinkham raises a concern over a facility bond that he claims the

district might put on the ballot. It has been stated that a school

facility bond has at times accompanied a reorganization vote to assure

proper financial support for facilities. In our case, the Fountain Valley

School District has the resources to invest into the repair of the high

school without jeopardizing the maintenance of our elementary and middle

schools. Our board has not indicated any interest in a bond election.

Pinkham referred to the unification parent survey sent out earlier

this year. Nearly one-third of the respondents on certain questions did

not feel they had enough information to cast an opinion, yet when our

parent community was asked whether it favored unification, more than

twice as many parents answered yes than no. Pinkham shared that only 23%

of the respondents answered “yes” to the question “Will your child’s

education be improved by unification?”

However, an additional 55% either did not have enough information or

felt that unification may be beneficial. The board held a public hearing

in January and invited any and all community members to share their

thoughts on unification. Not one person spoke in opposition. Board

meetings are held every month and community members are invited to speak

to the board during the “public comments” portion of each meeting.

The Fountain Valley School District happens to fall within two cities

because former city planners chose not to draw their municipal borders

consistent with that of school district boundaries. However, all Fountain

Valley School District constituents are highly valued regardless of the

city in which they live. We have received good feedback and continue to

seek more information that will aid Fountain Valley’s board of trustees

in coming to a decision.

Unification would mean a stronger, more cohesive and a better

articulated kindergarten through 12th-grade curriculum. It could raise

the district’s annual revenue limit funding nearly 18%. There are no

other means within our school finance structure to raise the amount of

operational dollars per student. Greater resources will assure a stronger

educational program. Unified districts are the preferred organizational

structure of the State Department of Education. They tend to have more

influence in Sacramento and bring greater prestige to the community.

Pinkham acknowledges the excellence of the Fountain Valley School

District and credits the district’s administrators and board of trustees.

This is true because the district’s administrators and governing board

have a shared vision and unity of purpose.

The unification process is extensive, but well worth the effort.

Opinions vary and some will see the benefits differently. That is why the

school board’s exploration effort has been long and thorough. Regardless,

our decision will first and foremost be in the best interests of children

now and into the future.

TONY McCOMBS

President

Fountain Valley School District

Board of Trustees