In the wake of a controversy over his hiring of 10 teachers from Spain, school Supt. Al Mijares said he will appoint a special task force to study the overall effectiveness of bilingual education here.

Two members of the Santa Ana Unified School District’s board earlier this month questioned the wisdom of importing instructors.

Trustee Tom Chaffee said he objects to the hiring of the teachers because he is opposed to the district’s bilingual education programs and because he fears that natives of Spain cannot impart American values to students.

Trustee Rosemarie Avila said her opposition also centers on the issue of American values but has nothing to do with bilingual education.

Mijares said at this week’s school board meeting that while he has the authority to make certain hires, he could have advised trustees “in a clearer manner” about his actions.

Mijares said he will appoint up to 12 educators and non-educators to the task force by fall and will request a report within a few months after that.



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