Trustees May Overhaul Program for Gifted

School board trustees will hear a report Tuesday on a plan to dismantle a magnet program for gifted students and instead set up individual programs on several campuses.

The cost-cutting proposal to stop sending Gifted and Talented Education and Discovery students to Golden Avenue Elementary School and offer the same program at students’ neighborhood campuses has drawn criticism from parents who say the new program won’t be as good.

The current program buses about 60 students from across Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified to Golden Avenue in Placentia for accelerated classes. GATE classes provide a rigorous curriculum for third- through sixth-graders. The Discovery program offers the same for students with limited English skills.

But Assistant Supt. Sharon McHolland said that because individual campuses have more space and the district wouldn’t have to pay for busing, the change would open up space for about 100 more students.

District officials have not decided whether they would to set up a program at each school or within each attendance area.

The school board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Educational Services Center, 4999 Casa Loma Ave., Yorba Linda.

Information: (714) 996-2550.