Parents upset by closure scenarios
Concerns expressed that students forced to cross busy road would risk being hit
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

Following an advisory committee's recommendation that the district close three schools, dozens of parents urged the school board to keep their neighborhood schools open at last week's standing-room-only meeting.

Interim Superintendent Ken Moffett said the district could save $1.5 million a year if three schools were closed. He said the money would be used to raise teachers' salaries, among the lowest in the county.

The school board voted late last year to form a committee to review the matter. The 11-member citizens committee, which began meeting in January, recommended closing Los Altos Middle, Camarillo Heights Elementary and Los Primeros Structured schools.

The committee based the decision on the condition of the campuses' buildings and overall infrastructure.

Assistant Superintendent Barbara Davis said if Camarillo Heights closed, the district could send 90 students from that school to El Descanso, 73 to Las Posas and 175 to Dos Caminos elementary schools. Rancho Rosal Elementary would be turned into a magnet school. Los Primeros would keep its kindergarten through eighth grade classes and move to the Los Senderos campus. Displaced Los Senderos students will either attend Rancho Rosal or their neighborhood schools- Monte Vista or Las Colinas middle schools.

Some parents criticized the district for hurrying the committee to make a decision. Parents said district officials should take more time to study the issues. Others asked why the closures were necessary after an independent audit of the district's finances said the district was fiscally healthy.

Moffett said the district is well managed and not experiencing a budget crisis. Teachers' pay, however, remains a critical issue.

He said the problem has gotten so bad that some teachers aren't interviewing for job openings with the district. "And that can't continue," Moffett said. "That's a concern I have."

Former school board member Val Rains questioned why the board would close the very campuses it sought last fall to expand. In the fall, the board did not approve sending a $150 million school bond to voters. The money would have been used to upgrade school facilities, including the three campuses recommended for closure.

Some teachers spoke in favor of the closures and the benefits that come from having larger schools. But the majority of those in attendance were parents, and they opposed losing the unique programs schools offer.

"Parents want choices," said Dee Dee Resnik, a parent who spoke at the board meeting. "If you choose to eliminate these programs in our district, parents will seek out these programs elsewhere."

The board was expected to meet Thursday night at La Mariposa Elementary School to discuss closures.