SAN DIEGO – The San Diego school district has all but severed its ties to a high-profile community education conference that for 11 years has offered workshops, health screenings and supplies to parents and children – the only event of its kind on the city.

The district will plan its own back-to-school conferences. Trustees on Tuesday approved a $60,000 budget for a 2009 event.

Meanwhile, the San Diego Unified School District will send the New ERAA Conference (Everybody Recommiting to Academic Achievement) a bill for $13,500 to cover unauthorized use of district money and resources at the Aug. 23 event.

“The district has been supporting us for the past 11 years and this is the first time this has come up,” said Zoneice Jones of the nonprofit Pazzaz, which cosponsors the event. “What their motivation is I do not know.”

The program was held at Lincoln High School and drew thousands of parents and students.

The district provided security and meals and used a credit card to front the money for some supplies. Teachers volunteered to lead workshops.

But the district never officially approved the expenses, nor did it endorse the event, said Superintendent Terry Grier.

Grier said the district is not trying to compete with the conference by establishing its own version, one that would rely on support from community groups. He said the organizers should take it as a compliment: “That's what happens when you're successful.”