Board to Revisit Future of Schools

The Hermosa Beach School Board on Wednesday will continue its ongoing discussion on possible changes the  could make to sustain Hermosa's public schools, which (similar to other schools across the country) are facing financial turmoil.

Teams of community and board members were created in March to study possible options, which include turning the schools into charter schools, seeking a parcel tax to help fund the schools, unifying or sharing administration with a neighboring school district, or creating a minimum-level/low-cost curriculum.

These subcommittees presented their final reports on each of the four options to the School Board in June (see accompanying reports under photo.)

The School Board on Wednesday possibly could vote on which item to pursue. Here is a summary of each option, according to the subcommittee reports:

Charter Schools

The subcommittee that focused on charter schools found in its report that operating a charter school would cost about the same as if the school district stayed with its traditional model.

However, a charter system could increase revenue for the district by receiving more money from the state, grants, or private donors, according to the subcommittee’s final report.

Hermosa Beach resident Barry Silver, a member of the charter school subcommittee, said at a School Board meeting on June 22 that charter schools might not solve all problems, but "it’s a step in the right direction."

Hermosa schools could "get almost $300,000 a year more every year,” he said.

The subcommittee found that if Hermosa Beach converts one of its schools to a charter school, it could still be eligible to seek funding from a parcel tax.

Parcel Tax

The parcel tax subcommittee found that if a proposed parcel tax charges about $200 per parcel, it could raise about $1.5 million for Hermosa schools each year.

A parcel tax "would ensure our district is financially stable and independent... the money generated goes directly to our children/school," according to the subcommittee report.

But, the tax requires a two-thirds majority vote.

If the School Board decides to seek a tax, the subcommittee suggested surveying Hermosa residents to gauge the likelihood of a parcel tax passing, and forming a committee to mount a parcel tax campaign (which would cost money.)

Unification or Shared Services

The unification subcommittee in its report called unification "a long-term solution that would help Hermosa schools weather continuing uncertain economic future versus the short-term solution and continual cost of raising a parcel tax every five years."

The team studied the possibility of the Hermosa Beach City School District merging with Manhattan Beach Unified School District, and wrote in its report, "Our students would receive approximately $475,000 to $500,000 more in state funding than we currently receive as a K-8 district."

School Board President Cathy McCurdy said in a June 22 meeting that if the district pursues unification, there still would be board representation from Hermosa Beach within the unified administration.

Minimum Schools

The minimum schools subcommittee studied how the district could save costs by developing a minimum-level curriculum within Hermosa Beach schools.

Such measures could include reducing maintenance staff, sharing superintendent and principal duties between Hermosa View and Valley schools, eliminating certain textbook purchases, increasing classroom sizes, and lowering student test score expectations, according to the subcommittee's final report.

The School Board meeting is Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Hermosa Beach City Council Chambers.