A.V. HIGH SCHOOL TRUSTEES WILL MEET TO DISPEL TENSIONS : CONTROVERSIES PROMPT PUSH FOR HEALING.

Byline: Karen Maeshiro Daily News Staff Writer

After some tense meetings fractured by a few split votes, Antelope Valley Union High School District trustees plan to spend some quality time together.

Describing it variously as a board retreat, candid rap session and social get-together, trustees say they hope it will improve board relations and enable them to establish priorities and set goals.

``We need a chance for the board members to get together, work out the kinks and improve relationships among ourselves,'' trustee Sue Stokka said. ``Once we are on a stronger footing, then we can be in a better leadership position in the district. The atmosphere we create on the board filters out through the system. If we are compatible and work well together, it's something we can generate through the system.''

The board voted unanimously at Wednesday's meeting to bring in a consultant from the California School Boards Association to serve as a facilitator at a cost of $800. Other consultants were considered, but they charged up to $6,000 for their services.

No time, date or location has been set for the session, which would be open to the public.

Divisive issues have included barring the Catalyst Foundation for AIDS Awareness and Care from speaking to students; a plan to make public the names of teachers who write up proposals for new courses; proposed courses on medical history, conflict resolution and racism; and whether to require parental permission before students could be taught about human reproduction, AIDS or venereal diseases.

One prime example occurred in February when four trustees were present. They deadlocked four times over the seemingly routine task of electing three delegates to the California School Boards Association before coming to a unanimous vote.

Stokka described the board as having ``considerable friction'' over the past few months.

In May, when the idea of a board retreat first arose, Stokka said, ``There's strong feelings on both ends of the spectrum. There's not too much middle of the road.''

Trustee Steve Landaker agreed and said a workshop was a good idea. The board in March appointed Landaker, a former trustee from 1989 to 1993, to fill the vacancy left by the January death of board president Tony Welch.

Landaker was appointed as compromise only after the trustees failed to agree on four other nominees.

``There is a difference of philosophies on this board, and it has created friction. We need to focus back on the task at hand,'' Landaker said.

Landaker said the board is too sensitive on certain issues.

``Instead of hearing what the other party has to say, they are quick to jump in there and bash them. It's not a happy place,'' Landaker said.

The retreat will allow board members to speak openly and air grievances. ``It's not like we are putting on boxing gloves. We will let our hair down and chew the fat,'' Landaker said.

Trustee Bill Olenick said the workshop should revolve around team building and goal setting.

Olenick said there is a need for a board workshop, pointing to the Catalyst Foundation matter, which he said produced ``wear and tear on the public'' and could have been resolved ``with a little bit of compromise.''

Whether it will help the trustees perform their duties remains to be seen, Olenick said.

``It certainly would not hurt,'' Olenick said. ``It's a chance to sit down in an informal setting, talk about and prioritize goals, and realize if you can't get a whole cup of water, it's better to get half a cup.''

Landaker said this kind of board retreat for the high school district is not unprecedented. He participated in one in 1989. He said it is a common tool used by different organizations, such as city councils and chambers of commerce.

``We can be candid, break the ice and build relationships,'' Stokka said. ``Today, with the laws of the Brown Act (the sItate's open-meeting law), we don't get a chance to socialize. We need an opportunity to know each other.''