Huntington Beach : Group Seeks to Recall Two on School Board

About 200 people will go door-to-door collecting signatures this weekend in an effort to qualify two members of the Huntington Beach City School District for a recall election.

Parents angered by the board’s decision to close Burke Elementary School formed a group called “Save Our School--Burke,” informed board members Karen O’Bric and Gary Nelson of their intent to recall them and attempted to get a Superior Court judge to keep the school open.

Judge Judith Ryan’s denial last week of their request for an injunction cleared the way for the signature-gathering, said spokesman Ed Zschoche. “I understand (the ruling) although I must say I’m disappointed. It forces us to get involved in the political process,” he said.

Zschoche said the registrar of voters gave the petition process a green light on July 29, but members decided to wait for the court decision before proceeding. They must collect more than 7,998 names for both members, which works out to 20% of the district’s registered voters.

Last spring, the Huntington Beach City School District voted to close the school due to declining enrollment, a move which is expected to save the district about $200,000.

O’Bric said the ruling came as no surprise and predicted failure for the petitioners. The recall process, she said, “is being prostituted for purely political reasons. I don’t think the electorate will participate in this effort.”