Chartering a better kind of schooling

How can a community with so many million-dollar neighborhoods have schools in such bad shape? Just last month it was reported that more than 75% of the fifth-graders in the Huntington Beach City School District failed the state physical fitness test. At last month’s school board meeting, details of the deplorable conditions at Dwyer Middle School and the lack of response by the school district were discussed. No wonder families are increasingly choosing to send their children to private schools or to home-school them.

There is an alternative. A group of dedicated parents and educators are proposing to start an Arts and Science Charter school here in Huntington Beach for the 2006-07 school year. Charter schools are independent public schools. They are accountable to state standards and tuition-free. While there are only a handful of charter schools in Orange County, there are many in San Diego and Los Angeles.

If you are concerned about the direction of elementary education in Huntington Beach and about school choice, please attend the Huntington Beach City School District Board meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The district office is at 20451 Craimer Lane. Please wear red to show your support.

If you would like more information about the Huntington Beach Charter School, please see www.hbcharter.info.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Would you support the establishment of a charter school in Huntington Beach? Call our Readers Hotline at (714) 966-4691 or send e-mail to hbindependent@latimes.com. Please spell your name and include your hometown and phone number for verification purposes.

* SASHA GREENBERG is Huntington Beach resident. To contribute to “Sounding Off” e-mail us at hbindependent@latimes.com or fax us at (714) 966-4667.