KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
Parents of students at Albert Einstein Academy in Santa Clarita are accusing the school of misconduct, claiming that some students at AEALAS were given a higher admissions priority than others; however, both Santa Clarita AEALAS and Hart District officials are refuting the claims.
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According to an email sent to KHTS AM-1220 on March 23, parents are alleging that Santa Clarita AEALAS officials went outside the scope of their original charter for board members and staff of Albert Einstein charter schools with regards to public lottery provisions for admission.
The email also alleges that Santa Clarita AEALAS officials created a weighted preference system for students already enrolled in their schools over other students in the William S. Hart Union High School District and the general public.
Some parents have gone as far as accusing Rabbi Mark Blazer, who declined to comment when contacted by KHTS, of giving preference to children of members at Beth Ami Temple and approving a new Beverly Hills Board of Overseers the day before the internal lottery to give them preference and exempt them from the lottery.
“It’s not true,” said Edward Gika, principal of AEALAS in Santa Clarita. “There is no preference system for any outside affiliation with our school.”
Gika contends that the school conducted the lottery in accordance with its original charter.
Gika also said California law permits sibling preference, adding that of the hundreds of applicants vying to gain admission to AEALAS, only four were admitted because of school employee preferences.
Get live news updates about Santa Clarita by following KHTS on Facebook and KHTS on TwitterConcerned parents wondered if the William S. Hart Union School District had prior knowledge of the alleged changes to the original charter, and requested any changes be revoked and a new lottery be conducted.
“The Hart School District met with representatives for Einstein Academy and we determined that they are appropriately following the process set forth in their admissions guidelines,” said Hart District Spokesman Dave Caldwell.
He added, “Any changes to their admissions necessitated by the elementary school program will be included in their revised charter that will go before the Hart Board for reauthorization next year.”
The AEALAS board of directors held a special meeting March 29 to discuss various agenda items, including their admission lottery results, the Hart District charter renewal and consideration for appointing legal counsel for the board of directors.
KHTS continues to receive phone calls and emails regarding concerns over the recent admission policy of AEALAS.
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This is just ridiculous! AEA SCV Parents are just mad because their child didn’t get into the secondary school which they’ve known all along had limited spaces. Get over yourselves! The parents that are complaining don’t do anything to improve the school or fundraise or help out in any way–you want the charter education but you don’t do anything–of course the parents that help and volunteer and do 110 things for the school should have special consideration as well as board members kids –who would help out and volunteer if there is going to be no benefits? Yes, it’s a good school but SCV is full of really good schools, some of the best rated in the state so move on! And shame on the Board to cave on the original lottery results because a few parents were upset. Really?
C’mon parents! This is not news! You’ve known all along there were about 70 spaces available—and that siblings, staff , etc. have preference, as it should be- so that could bring down the spaces available considerably— you know there are 100 kids in 6th grade so…………. there were always going to be kids that wouldn’t get in…. and you wait until now to complain and decide that the school is at fault…. GET REAL PEOPLE!!!