Peterson determined the district relied on erroneous legal standards in reaching its decision, thereby denying Escuela Popular a fair hearing and reasonable opportunity to respond, a spokesperson for Escuela Popular said. The ruling is tentative and still needs to be finalized. In the meantime, the district\u2019s revocation is stayed and the schools remain open under an existing court order.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have common goals with the district in serving the East San Jose community and immigrant students. We believe in the transformational power of education,\u201d Pablo Reguerin, chair of the Escuela Popular board of directors, told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cWe were confident in our position, in our data and our actions. It felt like an agenda to close Escuela Popular. It was an abuse of discretion.\u201d<\/p>\n
The court directed Escuela Popular\u2019s legal counsel to prepare a proposed agreement by July 17. The school district has until July 24 to file objections.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In a news release, the district said it intends to submit objections by July 24 and that another hearing is scheduled for Aug. 26.<\/p>\n
Patricia Reguerin, executive director of Escuela Popular and sister to Pablo Reguerin, said the threat of closure brought her and the school community many sleepless nights. She said it would be hard to replace the small bilingual, culturally sensitive experience the school provides.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe court ruled this way because we were aware that the district was not following the law in the way that it was written and intended to be used for revocation,\u201d she told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cWe\u2019re given the opportunity to remedy or refute the notice of violation, which is the first step in revocation. The law says that we are supposed to refute to the district\u2019s satisfaction or remedy. We remedied and that should have taken us off the revocation path.\u201d<\/p>\n
Instructional leader Yolanda Ortiz said she values being at a school dedicated to serving a community which has been historically underserved.<\/p>\n
\u201cStudents felt anxiety at the possibly of the school closing,\u201d she told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201c(They) would not receive that same feeling or culturally responsive education in other schools. Students will continue receiving the education that they deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n
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