Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Sending a message to the County

An enthusiastic protest by students and their parents took place on Tuesday morning, January 30 for under an hour in front of The New School, at the corner of Main and Elder Streets. Individuals within the group, chanting “save our school,” said they were protesting the County of San Diego’s threats to the high-performing school.

County Counsel threatened the school and the property owners, saying a lawsuit would be filed on January 31 against both unless (1) the school vacates the property and all structures are brought into full compliance with the law; or (2) the school initiates the Major Use Permit process and all necessary inspections and permits are obtained for all structures.

“It’s a shame that the County has pushed it this far,” said Julie Reeder, who along with her husband, Charles, owns the property and rents it to The New School.

Reeder said that County officials were contacted in advance regarding a modular classroom that was placed on the grounds of the school in August of 2006 and at the time they verbally replied that the county didn’t have any jurisdiction over it, directing school officials to the State Office of Education. Administrators of the school then moved forward and met the state requirements. After the modular was placed on the property, County officials claimed the school administrators and the property owners were in violation of county zoning and regulatory ordinances. County Counsel John Sansone wrote a letter to both entities and said that since the school is operating with more than 50 students, they must apply for a Major Use Permit and the modular building must meet County requirements.

County officials have qualified their actions by saying they do not view the school as a public charter school because it is not located in Rainbow (their sponsoring district). Legal counsel for the State of California Office of the Secretary of Education said it was their opinion that The New School should indeed be treated as a public school.

The New School has been in operation at the Elder Street facility since 2004 and recently claimed the highest test scores in the Fallbrook/Bonsall area.

Lisa Berlanga, general manager of the California Charter School Association was on hand at the protest and said, “After we were contacted earlier in the school year, and The New School began working with attorneys, we thought everything was getting under control. Now, we are trying to figure out the best way in which we can support The New School; what steps we can take to ensure this doesn’t happen in the future; perhaps by supporting new legislation.”

“Regardless of whether DPLU shuts down the New School, I would like to thank the California Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell, the Governor’s office and the Secretary of Education, Assemblyman Ray Haynes, Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries and especially Senator Hollingsworth and Tom Rodgers for all the support and help that they have been,” said Reeder. “It’s been heartening to work with leaders, educators and parents who will take the time to stand up for children and education. I am sure that this will be resolved, and if not, I can’t see a judge ruling against the school in light of all our evidence.”

Meanwhile, Sue Miller-Hurst, director of the New School, and the board of directors continue to seek a new location for the school.

 

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