Controversy Over Redrawing County Board of Education Boundaries

If it the waters weren't already roiled enough in Los Altos over the Bullis Charter School facilities offer, travel down the freeway apiece to see what new intrigue is erupting at the Santa Clara County Board of Education.

The Mercury News' longtime education writer Sharon Noguchi reports about the intense controversy breaking out into the open over the redrawing of district boundaries.

A little-known, 11-member county committee wielding a lot of power is working on redrawing boundaries for the county board of education. The County Committee on School District Organization may choose one of the 11 remapping scenarios drawn up by consultants.

One of the consultants, Noguchi wrote, is Josh Newman, who worked for Bullis Charter School when it was seeking its charter renewal six years ago, according to Noguchi. Newman founded, EdTec, which provides business services for charter schools, and whose studies Bullis has cited in press releases.

One of the scenarios affects Anna Song, who has been at a critic of BCS's record. It includes a proposal for her district, Area 5, to get cut up, Noguchi's article said. Another places her and Grace Mah, who voted against BCS' charter renewal. Mah comes from Area 1, which includes Palo Alto.

Noguchi wrote that critics question the participation of county committee member Nejleh Abed, who is married to SCCBOE District member Leon F. Beauchman. Abed did not recuse herself from discussions earlier, according to the article, despite the work having a direct impact on her husband's district.

Noguchi noted that the person raising the concern over Abed was Chris Stampolis, husband of Song, who is "sometimes at odds with Beauchman," the story says. Read more here.