AB 523 OPEN ENROLLMENT
ACT (KIM)
Support Packet
City of La Palma
March 2015
City of La Palma Fact Sheet Demographics
La Palma is a small community in the northern portion of Orange
County, California, covering 1.8 square miles with a population of
15,568 (2010 Census). It is surrounded by the Orange County Cities
of Buena Park and Cypress, and the Los Angeles County City of
Cerritos. It is a General Law City with Municipal Elections held in
November of even-numbered years.
The community is 520.2 acres residential, 88.5 acres commercial, 76.6
acres industrial, 170.8 acres public/institutional facilities, and 37 acres
designated as parks and open space.
Detail Demographic Profile COMPARISON OF HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICTS: Fullerton Joint Union High School District (FJUHSD)/Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) The boundary that placed La Palma residents living North of Houston Avenue into the Fullerton Joint Union High School District (FJUHSD) was established in 1893. FJUHSD Year Established 1893 Total District Enrollment 14,396 Number of La Palma Students 60 Number of students at Buena Park High School 1,883 Number of students at John F. Kennedy High School Total 2014‐15 Budget $130,000,000 AUHSD 1898 31,688 600 2,372 $328,000,000 The maximum transfer of 60 La Palma High School students from FJUHSD (Buena Park High School) to AUHSD (John F. Kennedy High School) represents .4% of the FJUHSD enrollment. The budget impact of the transfer from FJUHSD would be .3% of their budget. Superintendent Michael Matsuda of AUHSD has stated that John F. Kennedy High School has excess capacity and can accept the maximum number of transfers from FJUHSD. City of La Palma March 2015 School Choice Survey Fact Sheet 
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La Palma is a city of just under 16,000 in northwest Orange County. It is 1.8 square miles in area, making it the smallest city by area in the county. The city is primarily single family residential neighborhoods with most neighborhoods developed in the 1960’s and 70’s. The community is served by five school districts, two of which have no school facilities within the community. Many students therefore are assigned to a school which is not the one closest to their home and is not within La Palma. The home high school for residents living north of Houston is Buena Park High School, on average about 4.05 miles from these students. Students living south of Houston attend John F. Kennedy High School located within La Palma. The average distance for students north of Houston to JFK High School in La Palma is 1.25 miles. The City conducted a survey of residents north of Houston Avenue in February/March 2015. It was sent by mail to a random sample of 675 residences or just over 50% of the total residences within the area. A total of 214 surveys were submitted for a response rate of just under 32% which more than matched the target needed for the desired 2.4% margin of error. When asked if they supported legislation which would allow high school residents north of Houston to choose to attend Kennedy High School in La Palma rather than their home school in Buena Park, 98.59% or 210 answered yes and 0.94% or 2 answered no (0.47% or one person was unsure). When asked if they had a high school aged student, where they would send them to school if they had a choice, 0.49% or 1 answered Buena Park High School. 99.51% or 203 answered John F. Kennedy High School. Of the 214 total respondents, 104 submitted their name and contact information indicating they would like to become more involved in this issue, representing almost 49% of all respondents. Many residents used the survey as an opportunity to write additional comments to the City relating to the schools issue. These comments, just as they have been written by the respondents, are attached. As shown in these results, there is overwhelming resident demand in La Palma for legislation to allow for high school choice and if given that choice, an overwhelming majority of residents would send their high school aged student to JFK High School. Residents feel so strongly about the issue that they provided an outstanding response rate to this survey and a high number of individuals willing to give their personal contact information to the City in order to become more active in advocating on the issue. 2015 High School Survey Additional Comments My husband and I raised 4 kids in the City of La Palma. I attended City Council meetings about 20 years ago to raise this issue. I was basically told there was nothing that could be done. Therefore, we transferred our kids to other schools. My kids never had the benefit of a sense of community. All their activities and friendships and connections were made outside the City of La Palma. After 28 years as a resident, I’m glad to see this being addressed. Too late for us but hoping young families will benefit. About time! I have lived here for over 40 years and had to send my kids to private schools. My oldest was a baby when we moved here and had no idea he couldn’t attend the La Palma schools. Very unfair situation. What about Junior High and elementary? My children are raised but I have a daughter looking to buy in La Palma and won’t buy North of Houston because of the schools. This lowers our property value as well. I very much so support Legislation. I only had one son and had to put him to private school to finish his education. Way overdue issue! It’s about time. My two children were not permitted to attend La Palma schools. We have been supporting this issue since we bought my parents’ house in 1998. This should include elementary and middle school between Centralia & Buena Park City School District. We would be happy to gather signatures, talk to district and council members again, even go to Sacramento with kids. My last child is graduating from Kennedy High this year. Just would like to say it’s about time the City got this involved. There was some support from the City a few years ago (which I was involved with) I hope this works this time. 1000% support. IN fact, this should cover across all school grads starting with elementary schools. I have a 5 year old ready for kinder in the fall & we don’t want to send him to Buena Park so we’ll plan to move. About 5 years ago I was involved in legislation that the former La Palma Mayor went to Sacramento on and I was denied. I put my kids in private schools to avoid being bussed to schools farther away than Miller Elementary or Walker which is not right. M. Jones Even better, we are closer to a Cerritos grammar school. Son went to Cerritos High. We had to make petitions and jump through hoops but it was well worth it. Just a better run school. You should copy its template. Son has since gone on to college and will graduate in a few months. Every municipality should be looking out for who performs best then copy that template to better serve its populace. I think this is an excellent idea. Thank you. This is the best thing for La Palma residents. I had to buy the house in so La Palma for 3 kids to go to Kennedy 1978 – 1985. I paid off. Now I can be N. of Houston. I feel you should be given a choice. No matter what district, if that High School is within say 2.5 mile radius of where you live. It’s way too late for us, but it would certainly be advantageous to us who live north of Houston to be able to attend Kennedy, versus private school or to go out of district. We were promised when we bought this home in 1976 that by the time our children were in high school they would be able to go to Kennedy. Of course it didn’t happen. Buena Park school district for our tract is ridiculous. These schools are too far and the district is not as good as Cypress, Centralia. Please work on this issue. My granddaughter and her mother live with me. She has been attending Fairmont since kindergarten..she's now a sophomore at Fairmont Preparatory Academy. Her mother, ironically, is a public school teacher. I have lived in La Palma since 1968...good luck..I hope you're successful this time! 2015 City of La Palma High School Survey
As a resident north of Houston, your home high school is Buena Park High School. A
closer school in La Palma would be Kennedy High School, across school district
boundaries. The City is working with local representatives on legislation to allow you the
choice of attending Kennedy. Please tell the City your views on this issue by having the
oldest resident in your household complete this survey and return it to the City no later
than March 9, 2015. A pre-paid envelope is included for your use. You can also complete
the survey on-line using the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LPHigh.
Results will be reported in aggregate; no individual responses will be reported. The City
appreciates your time and feedback!
Si se siente más cómodo en completar este estudio en español, usted se puede solicitar
asistencia llamando a la ciudad en 714-690-3382.
이 설문 조사를 작성하기 위해 통역이 필요하신 분은 라팔마 시청 714-690-3382 으로 전
화 하시면 한국말로 도와 드릴수 있습니다.
1. If you are filling this survey out on-line, please enter the survey number shown
at the top of the survey mailed to you. If you are filling out the mail survey, skip to
Question 2.
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2. Do you support legislation which would allow high school residents north of
Houston to choose to attend Kennedy High School in La Palma rather than their
home school in Buena Park?
Yes
No
Unsure
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2015 City of La Palma High School Survey
3. If you had a high school aged student, where would you send them to school if
you had a choice?
Buena Park High School
John F. Kennedy High School
Other (please specify)
4. Please enter your name and email address or phone number below if you would
like to become involved in this issue.
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Thank you for completing this survey. The City appreciates your views and that you have
selected La Palma for your home. Please mail or drop off your survey by March 9, 2015.
Surveys can be dropped off at City Hall, 7822 Walker, during our normal business hours.
Thank you again for your feedback!
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