OC Charter Accuses School District Of ‘Bullying’ And ‘Harassment’

After nearly 20 years of peaceful coexistence, the Orange County School of the Arts is butting heads with the Santa Ana Unified School District.

It began when OCSA, a charter school, filed a lawsuit against the district in 2019 over special education funding. Later in the year, SAUSD issued detailed reports criticizing some OCSA practices, including its reliance on parent contributions.

Those contributions, the district argued, could be a barrier to entry for disadvantaged students.

In a press release issued last week, OCSA founder and executive director Ralph Opacic had strong words for SAUSD officials.

"It's bullying. It's harassment," he said. "We've enjoyed a collaborative, positive, open relationship with Santa Ana Unified School District for 19 1/2 years, and that all changed."

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