The San Benito County Office of Education Board overturned an
interdistrict transfer denial involving alleged bullying at
Marguerite Maze Middle School.
At its monthly meeting, the Board held a public hearing
regarding the denial by the Hollister School District.
The San Benito County Office of Education Board overturned an interdistrict transfer denial involving alleged bullying at Marguerite Maze Middle School.
At its monthly meeting, the Board held a public hearing regarding the denial by the Hollister School District.
Sixth grader Holly Berry’s parents were asking that she be allowed to attend Tres Pinos School – a school outside of the Berry’s school district of residence.
Holly’s mom, Amanda Berry, said Holly is continually bullied at Marguerite Maze Middle School and needs more one-on-one attention in academics.
“Maze cannot meet the safety and educational needs of our daughter,” Amanda Berry said. “If the Hollister School District has a blanket policy of denying these transfers, my daughter does not fall under this blanket policy.”
Assistant Superintendent Peter Gutierrez, representing the HSD at the appeal, said the better solution to the situation is actively working with the school and the bullying child’s parents instead of moving to another district.
“Our past policy does not allow interdistrict transfers based on not getting along with others,” Gutierrez said. “Children should be learning conflict-resolution skills. This doesn’t teach the child by removing them from the situation.”
Officials at the HSD offered an intradistrict transfer to Rancho San Justo Middle School, but Holly’s parents refused the switch because it would be “the same kind of environment,” Amanda Berry said.
County Superintendent Tim Foley represented Tres Pinos School and said the school does have room for Holly.
Trustee Mitch Dabo said he felt the HSD “dropped the ball” on the case. He asked where the district or school staff were at right now and Gutierrez said the school was waiting for the Berrys to come in and talk with Maze Principal Bernice Smith.
It seemed the district and school don’t even have a plan of attack to solve the problem, Dabo said.
In a unanimous vote, the Board approved the appeal.
“It’s pretty tough to be bullied. There’s always been bullies, but it’s more frightening today. I feel for her,” said Trustee Patricia Ward.
After the vote, Foley said he thought “a strong, clear message has been delivered” by the Board. The transfer to Tres Pinos School will take place immediately.
Also at the meeting, Foley presented enrollment and attendance numbers from all county public schools for the fall and winter.
Enrollment numbers decreased by 17 compared to this time last year – down to 11,510 from 11,527 last year. Daily attendance numbers are hovering around 11,134 compared to 11,251 last year.
“We’re down just a little bit. We’re bucking the trend (from the past where there was growth every year),” Foley said.
Districts with decreases in enrollment are Aromas-San Juan Unified School District (down from 1,351 to 1,265 this year), Bitterwater-Tully Union School District (down from 23 to 21), Hollister School District (down from 6,235 to 6,181), Willow Grove Union School District (down from 30 to 26) and the County Office of Education (down from 391 to 312).
The drop in enrollment at the County Office of Education’s San Andreas Continuation High School is due in large part to the new Independent Study Program at San Benito High School. The SBHS District is up 189 students, from 2,578 last year to 2,767 this year.
“Our loss is their gain,” Foley said.
Santa Ana Opportunity School is partnering with the HSD to service seventh graders, reported Mike Sanchez, director of alternative education. Santa Ana started the program in January with 15 students.
“So far, so good,” he reported. “The whole intention is to salvage their seventh-grade year.”
In other business:
– Assistant Superintendent Larry Elrod presented the Prior Year Fiscal Audit of the County Schools Service Fund Budget. There were no findings or recommendations made. The audit was performed in early spring and mid-fall of 2003.
– Trustee Mary Ann Filice was absent.
– There were no public comments.
– The Board decided to tour the County Office of Education programs during its spring tour of schools and programs. Other district board trustees may tag along. The trip will be April 14 with the Board’s monthly meeting to follow.
The Board’s next meeting is March 11 at 6 p.m. at the County Office of Education, 460 Fifth St.
