CORRESPONDENCE - 75A - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

March 19, 2019 Steven A. Mendoza Santa Ana Unified School District Acting City Manager, City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza P.O. Box 1988, M31 Santa Ana, CA 92701 Re: Zoning Ordinance Amendment Dear Mr. Mendoza, Stefanie P. Phillips, Ed.D. 7�','�,u"!gnre der of Schools L del it t^ ori I am writing on behalf of the Santa Ana Unified School District to inform you of our interest in a zoning ordinance amendment recently adopted by the Planning Commission on February 11, 2019, which would allow public, private and charter schools to be built and/or expanded in an existing industrial area. At its upcoming meeting on March 19 2019, the City Council is anticipated to consider approval of the Planning Commission action. At issue is the intended beneficiary of this amendment: an independent Charter school at a location already impacted by existing traffic and pending construction of the OC Streetcar light-rail project. Parking and traffic circulation will become a greater issue if this Charter school is allowed to expand. Expansion will jeopardize safe routes to school, which we are ALL concerned about. Moreover, it is the District's position that Charter schools do not offer an educational benefit over the District's educational options worthy of modification to City zoning policy. In comparison to the District, many Charter schools strategically select students that require fewer resources while rejecting others that require greater support, offer inferior student enrichment and extracurricular opportunities, and are not subject to the superior standard required for District facilities. For these and other reasons, the District opposes adoption of the zoning ordinance amendment. In the past, the Mayor and Council Members have expressed their general support for academic institutions in the City of Santa Ana, and particularly for public schools in the Santa Ana Unified School District. The District would like to take this opportunity to remind the City of the many public school expansion and reconfiguration projects needed to improve District schools. To the extent that these projects may require or be enhanced by City zoning or other policy adjustments, we sincerely hope the City will be prepared to assist and partner with the District with the same level of support as considered for this potential Charter school benefit. We greatly appreciate the City's consideration of our common goals related to public school improvements in the Santa Ana Unified School District as it relates to this matter. Stefanie P. Phillips Superintendent of Schools cc: Mayor, City Council, Board Members 1601 East Chestnut Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92701.6322 (714) 558-5501 BOARD OF EDUCATION Valerie Amezcua, President • Rigo Rodriguez, Ph.D., Vice President Alfonso Alvarez, Ed.D., Clerk • John Palacio, Member