By Connie Llanos, Staff Writer, LA Daily News
Editor's Note: San Fernando Middle School is one of 36 campuses up for bid under the School Choice Plan, a reform effort that allows non-profit groups to vie to operate underperforming and new schools. The Daily News will follow this campus as it progresses throughout the controversial conversion this year.
Oct 31, 2009 | Established in 1896, San Fernando Middle School is viewed as a cornerstone of its community and a rite of passage for generations of residents who have passed through its halls.
Some traditions at the Valley's oldest campus are likely to end, however, as San Fernando finds itself on a list of 36 schools about to be taken over by outside operators.
In a last-ditch effort to improve performance at lagging campuses, Los Angeles Unified is putting them out to bid, a move that could result in San Fernando being converted to an independent charter, magnet or pilot school.
While the future of the school is uncertain, staff and parents are determined to pull together to make the best of the situation.
"The beauty of this community is that it's tight-knit and really cares about children and education," said Maria Reza, a former principal of the middle school.
"There are many families who have lived here for generations ... Whoever takes this school needs to capitalize on that to be successful."
Over the next four months, parents, educators and staffers at San Fernando and the 35 other "focus schools" will be asked to help determine the future of the local campuses.
Eduardo Solorzano, appointed this fall as San Fernando's principal, is responsible for navigating participants through the complex process.
"This is definitely trial by fire," Solorzano said.
No one at San Fernando Middle School expected the campus to be swept up in the School Choice Plan, which targets LAUSD's poorest performers.
"We were shocked and disappointed to be chosen," said Christine Provencio, a parent representative with LAUSD and the mother of a San Fernando student. "As parents we didn't understand why... We feel like we have a great school that's driven."
In fact, San Fernando has made significant improvements on standardized achievement tests in recent years, including a 35 point gain in its Academic Performance Index in 2008.
Parents also brag about the school's mariachi music program - the first in the Valley - and the campus' partnership with Project Grad and similar drop-out prevention programs.
And Reza, the school's former principal, was tapped last year to reform Fremont High School - one of the district's lowest performing schools.
Nevertheless, San Fernando still met the criteria for inclusion in the reform plan, such as:
Being a low-performing school for more than three years, based on state and federal academic benchmarks.
Having fewer than 21 percent of students proficient in English or math.
Declining state test scores in 2009. San Fernando's API score dropped three points last year.
"When you look at the criteria, it is the `what have you done for me lately' criteria," Solorzano said. "Whatever happened two or three years ago is irrelevant and we happened to meet every single criteria."
The selection was also a blow for teachers, who in recent years had tried to improve student achievement by dividing the campus by themes and grade levels.
Still, the 93-member teaching staff is prepared to work hard and to cooperate with the new operator.
"At this school we focus on solutions," said Laura Tracy, a union representative and history teacher at San Fernando for the last five years.
Still, Tracy said teachers plan to draft a plan that would incorporate the small learning communities already established at the school. Faculty members at the school have also expressed interest in the pilot school model - a district-operated campus that has flexibilities with budget, curriculum, schedule and staffing.
Whether the school remains a traditional campus, a charter, magnet or pilot school, community members want to ensure that long-established traditions are retained.
"We can see this as a negative or as an opportunity to improve," Solorzano said. "There is a confidence that has come out of this for our staff and we are determined to improve things for our students."
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