Backs Los Senderos

On Thursday, March 1, 2007, I sat in astonished silence as the 711 Committee reported its recommended plan for school closures to the Pleasant Valley School Board members. Los Senderos students and families have already been displaced by the district's reduction plan. Our students and families deserve an opportunity to maintain our position as a successful, integral part of our local community.

District staff projections estimate that LSOS student population will reach the new required minimum amount by 2008. By 2010, LSOS will be the second largest elementary school in the district. PVSD voted unanimously for LSOS to expand from K-5 to K-8 in 2004.

LSOS students, parents and staff have spent tens of thousands of dollars and countless volunteer hours improving the LSOS campus. This was a long-term, capital and nonfinancial investment in the educational well-being of our students. LSOS expanded as directed, in a timely manner, and met every goal required.

The recommended 711 Committee plan to play "musical chairs" with the alternative school locations by moving LSOS students to the Rancho Rosal campus and moving Los Primeros Stuctured School students to the LSOS campus is awkward, wasteful and disruptive at best.

Multiple national studies conclude that a K8 educational environment is better for our children than the traditional K5 or K6 environment. I encourage the PVSD board members and district staff not to embarrass themselves further by reneging on a promise to allow LSOS to expand and excel academically.

Los Senderos should stay in its current location and continue to grow and expand to be a K-8 Open School. Terry Bradford-Crane Camarillo