Saratoga News

Choice option fails to draw enough students

By Lester Chang

The Cupertino Union School District Board of Education has rejected a plan to create an innovative program at Saratoga's McAuliffe Elementary School because of apparent lack of public interest.

But some supporters of the Choice program vowed to work with Cupertino Superintendent Patricia Lamson and her staff to implement parts of the program at some of the district's four junior high schools. Lamson said she would be open to ideas.

The Choice option proposed by parents offered mixed courses and a chance to work on independent study projects. It required heavy parent participation.

Board members rejected the program after Lamson told them that only 42 students registered for the pilot project during a Feb. 26-March 1 enrollment period. Two students eventually dropped out, Lamson said.

"We don't have enough student registration, " Lamson said. "And we have to be accountable to the public on expenditures."

The district was willing to go ahead with the project only if 90 students, taught by three teachers, had registered for the next school year. Another 75 students and three teachers would have been added to the program in the following year.

For the two-year program, the district estimated spending about $600,000 for six portable rooms and about $120,000 for teachers' salaries.

The board's decision not to proceed with the project didn't deter the supporters, many of whom are parents of students at McAuliffe.

"This kind of thing needs more exposure, " said Nancy Kullmann, a Choice supporter, after the vote. "People aren't willing to take a risk because this is something new and because there is nothing to compare it with."

Kullman said she may get involved with the district in implementing parts of the proposal.

Those who helped develop the plan "are going to talk this over and see where we can go from here," said Renee Euchner, another backer.

Despite the small enrollment figure, Choice supporters said the district could still provide an alternative education to 40 students comparable to what students receive at any of the junior high schools.