Adult school targeted for cuts

Coral Wilson

Huntington Beach Adult School has been vital to the lives of

thousands, but it is not considered essential by state officials who

have targeted adult schools for upcoming budget cuts.

Gov. Gray Davis has proposed a 12% cut that could be made to adult

schools across the state.

Of the eight preliminary lay-off notices sent out last week by the

Huntington Beach Union High School District, one was sent to a

counselor at the adult school and another went to an electives

teacher at Coast High School, an independent study program for high

school students, said Doris Longmead, principal of both schools.

Other anticipated cuts include part-time positions and teaching

hours, as well as shorter summer school sessions, fewer classes, more

students per class and less custodian positions, she said.

The adult school has helped about 12,000 students per year gain

job training skills, learn English as a second language, work toward

a high school diploma or learn about parenting, health, safety or

home economics, Longmead said.

In celebration of Adult Education Week this week, the Huntington

Beach Adult School honored 13 students their commitment to education.

Lisa Powell of Huntington Beach was one of the students honored

for earning her high school diploma. She plans on continuing her

education and pursue a career working with children and teens.

“It has changed my life,” said the 25-year-old, mother of three.

“Getting my high school diploma was something that has always been

extremely important to me. I have kids so this allows me to be a role

model for them and makes me feel better about myself.”

The adult school is more user-friendly than community colleges and

doesn’t require students to go through a complicated registration

process, said counselor Cynthia Bonnycastle, adding that it is, “too

good of a kept secret.”

But this well-kept secret may be in trouble as it faces a $680,000

budget cut, Longmead said.

“That’s a big amount for us,” she said. “The superintendent told

all of us, nothing is sacred. When we have to make those sizable

cuts, we have to look at everything.”

While many other schools are facing severe budget cuts, it is easy

to look at the adult school as a supplemental program rather than a

school in itself, Longmead said.

Already the school gets considerably less funding per student than

main steam high schools and the state has recommended incorporating

adult school funding into a block grant, which would make it easy for

the money to go elsewhere, Longmead said.

“It is not anything anyone is pleased to do,” said Kathy Miller,

assistant superintendent of personnel for the high school district.

“We are faced with looking at all areas, all departments.”

Cuts are something the district is preparing for, but nothing is

official yet.

Adult education may not be high priority to the state, but student

achievement is testimony that it makes a difference in the lives of

many. In particular, the English as a Second Language program has

shown measurable results, Longmead said. Students have gone from not

speaking any English to being fluent, she added.