Guest opinion
Programs, not buildings, make district strong
By Ken Moffett Interim superintendent Pleasant Valley School District

The measure of any governing body is how it treats the least fortunate under its authority. In the recent school closures in the Pleasant Valley School District, trustees and staff were presented with various possible scenarios that intended to close three schools.

Just as the district made an effort in the statewide budget crisis of 2003-04 school year to make cuts as far away from the classroom as possible, when making the decision where to close schools, the final decision came down to who could most easily transition.

The choice was between alternative schools where the parents are already driving and have more means and flexibility or the three Title 1 schools in the heart of Camarillo where the parents are often working several jobs and may not have access to regular transportation. Our Title 1 schools outperform our schools of greater socioeconomic wealth in the similar schools category - meaning that compared to other students of similar circumstances, our Title 1 schools are held up as models to other districts. These students often have breakfast and lunch at school, and to ask them to walk two miles each way to school before breakfast would have put them at more of a disadvantage.

By many, this could be seen as political suicide to attempt such a bold move while also awaiting a decision about unification, but in this community of concerned and caring citizens, it should be seen as courageous. Current appeals before the State Board of Education concerning the unification of the Pleasant Valley School District have cited "promotion of racial segregation."

The recent decisions of the PVSD Board of Trustees should be seen as an indication of their commitment to all students, of every socioeconomic stripe, and willingness to advocate for those that aren't always able or may be fearful of advocating for themselves. It is never the wrong time to do the right thing.

Our teachers and staff have been overwhelmingly in support of the decisions of the board, and our working environment is much calmer. That calmness leads to improved classroom instruction and student learning. It also leads to teacher and staff retention and the ability to hire only the best for our district.

The philosophies of our current alternative schools will continue at their new locations.

Los Senderos students and parents have the opportunity to continue in the open philosophy at the beautiful new Rancho Rosal campus, and the parents and staff of that community have already put out the welcome mat.

Our students at Los Primeros will finally have the opportunity to share their wonderful success with more students. In the past waiting lists have been long for both schools, and next year they will have the opportunity to open their doors to more who want to join their programs.

When it all shakes out, the only thing that has been lost is a few buildings.

Our district continues to value specialized programs and neighborhood schools.

We will continue to honor and serve our less-privileged families in a commitment to a fair and equitable education for all.