Two Conejo elementary schools to be shuttered
The Conejo Valley Unified School District board has decided to shutter two elementary schools by fall 2009.
The board voted 3 to 2 to close University and Meadows schools at their Tuesday night meeting- a decision they originally made in March with a provision that they could rescind that vote once they had more information on enrollment projections and the district's budget situation.
Trustees Tim Stephens and Mike Dunn voted no for the closure.
"I believe by closing two schools,:we will lose in four ways: enrollment to a charter, enrollment to private schools, home schools and other districts," Stephens said. "We need to actively court and market our district and find out what they (parents) are looking for."
Conejo school officials point to declining enrollment as one of the key elements in their struggle to maintain revenue as the 22,000-student district - and others throughout the state - try to balance their budgets.
Deputy Superintendent Jeffrey Baarstad said enrollment is projected to decline by about 2,200 students over a five-year period, from 2007-08 to the 2012-13 school years.
Closing the two schools will save the district about $1.4 million, district officials have said.
About 350 people packed into Newbury Park High School's performing arts center Tuesday night while more than 65 people spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Some parents and community members asked the board to reconsider closing their two neighborhood schools, while others said the decision was necessary to save important programs in middle and high schools.
During a study session in May, the board considered cutting various positions and programs to save the two schools, including eliminating two additional custodial positions in elementary schools, a construction supervisor, an audiovisual technician, a sign-language interpreter, three groundskeepers and $150,000 in coach stipends for high school freshmen sports.
University School parent Amy Ballen said she is disappointed at the board's final decision to close her neighborhood school. Two of her children will be in the fifth and second grade next school year.
"This will be a big loss for the school district and it will be just the beginning of cuts everywhere," Ballen said as she walked out of the performing arts center with others wearing blue and grey University School shirts. "If I can drive one mile for my kids to go (to Weathersfield School), I can drive two miles to a charter."
Meadows School parents already turned in a charter proposal to the district for Meadows Arts & Technology Elementary School. The charter's board of directors will meet with district officials this afternoon.
Trustee Dolores Didio said opening a charter only would be a drain to the district.
"If Meadows goes charter it is not good for the rest of the district," Didio said. "I've been through school closure since we've moved to this community. I understand that situation. We could operate this school district with 18 elementary schools and provide quality education for all students."
