GARDEN GROVE Unified School District Board of Education on Tuesday voted down a proposal for the establishment of a charter school (Orange County Tribune photo).

By Jim Tortolano

A petition to create a charter school within the boundaries of the Garden Grove Unified School District was rejected by the Board of Education Tuesday night.

The board voted 4-0 – with member Terri Rocco absent – against the proposal by Achievers Global Academy.

Seven members of the public spoke against the charter proposal. The sole speaker on behalf of the charter was the proponent, Virginia Carrillo.

She rebutted the district’s objections – including issues with funding, special education and availability of teaching staff – and concluded with “this district’s response tells more about its aversion to charters and competition than it does about this particular charter.”

Among those opposed was Ariana Escalera, a GGUSD parent who said “There is nothing this charter offers that is better than what we have now.”

Another, Sandy Lopez, called the charter plan “insulting,” referring to comments made at a public hearing on the  proposal on Oct. 16.

The board room was nearly filled with spectators, many of whom were wearing “GGUSD” sweatshirts. The district serves most of Garden Grove as well as portions of Anaheim, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Santa Ana, Stanton and Westminster.

The next meeting of the board will be on Tuesday, Dec. 18.