Parents appeal early school year in Hacienda La Puente Unified

A group of parents has appealed a recent
decision by the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District that
radically changes the start and end dates of the school year to a county
agency that oversees public education.

The parental group, long opposed to the “early start
calendar,” has asked the Los Angeles County Office of Education to
review the program. The parents say the new calendar will negatively
impact the district’s budget and student academic performance.

But the appeal could be to no avail.

Although the county education office does have regulatory
authority over 93 school districts, it mainly adjudicates disputes over
inter-district transfers and expulsions.

“I can say our office would have no authority to override a
school district’s action on a calendar situation,” said Margo Menecki, a
spokesperson for the County Office of Education.

Read more in Steve Scauzillo’s story Calendar.