By Nicole MOORE

UniteLCF, a group consisting of members of the La Cañada community, submitted an initial petition to move the territory known as Sagebrush, on the western edge of La Cañada, from the Glendale Unified School District to La Cañada Unified School District.

The petition was filed with the Los Angeles County Registrar’s Office, who verified the 724 signatures, and the matter was scheduled to be heard at the Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organization. The first hearing was held Sept. 7 at the Los Angeles County Office of Education. Shortly after the petition was accepted by the LACCSDO, GUSD filed a suit to be given access to the verified signatures on the petition for internal review. That suit was heard in L.A. Superior Court last Friday.

Judge Amy D. Hogan presided over the hearing where Attorney Stan M. Barankiewicz II, representing GUSD, requested copies of the petition.

“I don’t want the Glendale School District to go in blindsided by signatures,” Barankiewicz stated.

Barankiewicz explained that he wants to analyze the signatures before further hearings take place with the LACCSDO. Barankiewicz plans to plug the names and addresses of residents who signed the petition into the GUSD database. This would allow Barankiewicz to see if the residents have student-aged children within GUSD. Additionally, Barankiewicz would like to examine if the petition signers own their properties or are renters. This would give clarity to the possible incentives that petition signers may have, especially if they were property owners, as the value of their home would most likely rise once it was reassigned to the LCUSD jurisdiction. Additionally, Barankiewicz stated some petitioners may have vacant or commercial properties in the Sagebrush area, meaning they would also benefit if they were to sell their property to people who want their children to go to La Cañada schools.

Hogan allowed Barankiewicz to access and examine the petition signatures before Oct. 26. However, for the time being, she denied his request for photocopies or to have photographs taken of the petition.

A hearing on to the right to copy petition forms will take place on Jan. 13, 2017.

Litigator Marilyn Smith, who has aligned herself with UniteLCF, stated that by not giving Barankiewicz full access to the petition, Hogan is protecting the identity of the residents who have signed it. Smith believes some individuals might have been deterred from signing the petition if they had been aware of Barankiewicz’s plan to analyze their information.

“Registered voters are valid voters in the area, regardless if they have commercial or vacant properties or do not have student-aged children,” argued Smith.

Additionally, she clarified that students who are already enrolled in GUSD schools will not be uprooted and can continue their studies at Glendale schools if the transfer were to be approved.

Smith, who is a former La Cañada resident, stated UniteLCF simply has a desire to have a cohesive community identity.

A final discussion regarding the Sagebrush transfer will not be completed until months more of discussion and examination.

The next public hearing over Sagebrush will take place at the La Cañada Unified School District office, 4490 Cornishon Ave, La Cañada Flintridge, on Oct. 26 at 6 p.m.

  Nicole MOORE