School board votes to relocate Southeast Academy to John Glenn High School campus
School board members listen to the potential cost of keeping Southeast Academy High School at its current location. (Photo by Vince Medina)
NORWALK — Southeast Academy High School will relocate to John Glenn High School after a close vote by the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District board of education approved the move on Monday, March 24.
The board deliberated renovation costs and available resources until almost midnight. They weighed multiple options including a $34 million renovation of the current site, or building a $62 million new campus at Excelsior High School.
While there was no cost scenario for moving the academy to the high school, Superintendent Jill Baker said no new structures would need to be added to John Glenn High School.
Southeast Academy High School is the only stand-alone free public military and law enforcement high school in California. The academy also has a 100% graduation rate, according to the school website.
Board member Espie Free acknowledged the academy’s success but argued that the funds used to renovate the campus could be utilized elsewhere.
“With all the cost of moving the school (to Excelsior), or keeping it where it’s at with all the work that needs to be done, those resources can go back into our employees,” said Free. “The money can go back to creating new programs so that we can attract more students and increase our enrollment that is declining.”
Board member Robert Cancio advocated against the move, arguing that the district must invest in successful programs.
“If we kill this program, I’m going to remind you all, when this program closes, we will have nothing, and our neighbors (other districts) will have everything we’ve been fighting for for 25 years,” said Cancio. “So please don’t let that come true. If we’re going to keep it alive, keep it up.”
Master Sergeant Marty Schafer, who has been involved with Southeast Academy for 25 years, expressed concerns the move would negatively impact the unique identity and culture of Southeast Academy.
“Families come to Southeast Academy for the academy experience,” said Schafer. “If they don’t have that, they’ll go back to their home schools.”
As the board members’ decision became apparent, some parents began expressing their disdain from the audience. Chris Garcia, a father of three students at the academy, shouted at the school board and threatened to take his kids out of the district.
“You’re going to kill Southeast, you’re gonna kill it,” said Garcia. “I’m pulling my boys out as soon as you guys do that. That’s three (students). I moved here for Southeast.”
Ultimately, a majority of the board sided with the John Glenn option, despite the reservations of some members and parents.
School board members Lorena Vidaurre, Espie Free, Norma Amezcua and Jose Rios voted to move southeast to John Glenn High School.
School board members Robert Cancio, Narcis Brasov and Becky Langenwalter voted to keep the academy at its current location.
The board’s 4-3 vote means Southeast Academy will transition to John Glenn High School, with further details to be discussed in upcoming meetings. District leadership promises to ensure a smooth transition and maintain the program’s integrity.