Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified ditches CA School Board Association due to expenses and conflicting values.

The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District Leaves California⁣ School Board⁤ Association

The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District has made the bold decision​ to leave the California School ​Board Association, a‌ statewide nonprofit organization‍ that provides training,​ advocacy, and policy⁢ analysis for its‌ members.

On August 8,⁢ the district’s board majority voted to end their membership, making them the only school board in Orange County not affiliated with the ⁣association.

The California School Board Association boasts a membership of nearly 1,000 educational agencies across the state. They offer valuable policy resources,‌ training, and represent the interests of public education through various forms of ‌advocacy.

The district currently pays an annual fee ranging from $21,000 to $26,000 to maintain​ its membership with the association.

Prior to the vote, Superintendent Alex Cherniss expressed his concerns about the high cost of membership.

“Unfortunately, many districts do not question the cost and value of [the organization], and simply rubber stamp this membership. That is just wrong,” Mr. Cherniss stated. He further emphasized the need to evaluate ‍the cost, purpose, and effectiveness of all organizational memberships and professional development opportunities.

Trustee Todd Frazier echoed these sentiments, believing that the​ district could handle many of ‌the organization’s benefits on its own.

“Most of the things provided by [the organization] can be managed internally, such as updates and⁢ information. Additionally, there‍ are numerous sources available ⁤for training⁣ and ​education nowadays,” Mr. Frazier explained.

However,​ Trustee Carrie ⁤Buck voiced her support ‌for maintaining the ⁣district’s membership, ⁢emphasizing the value of the training ⁣provided.

“The training offers a solid‌ foundation of​ what​ school districts truly do. It⁢ is crucial to participate and ensure our voices are heard on education matters in the state Legislature,”⁢ Ms. Buck stated.

Ms. Buck also⁢ expressed concerns about losing access‍ to ‌the organization’s developed education policies, which are utilized by member districts.

Trustee ⁤Leandra ​Blades,‌ on the other hand, dismissed the importance ​of these policies, stating that the district’s administrators are fully capable of creating their own.

Ms. Blades went as far as referring to the organization as a “lobbyist.”