Home › Education › Education: K-12
Conejo plans to close schools in '09
Money, enrollment could save 2 campuses
Download this story as a podcast!
STORY TOOLS 
More from Education: K-12The Conejo Valley Unified School District board has unanimously voted to keep all campuses open next school year, but it tentatively decided to close at least two elementary schools in 2009-10.
The board voted 4-1 to close at least two campuses for the school year that begins in fall 2009, but it agreed to re-examine that decision if enrollment increases or finances improve by May 2008.
At a meeting packed with parents Tuesday night, the board also voted 4-1 to set a target enrollment of 475 to 500 students per school. Trustee Mike Dunn voted no on both items.
"Why the rush?" Dunn asked fellow board members Dolores Didio, Timothy Stephens, Dorothy Beaubien and Patricia Phelps. "We can't begin to project our fiscal situation."
Jeffrey Baarstad, assistant superintendent of business services, said the district has experienced a steady enrollment decline in its elementary schools for at least four years. District officials blame shifting demographics and the high cost of living in Ventura County, among other factors.
Officials project the district, which currently has about 22,000 students, will lose about 400 in 2008-09. The declines will mean a net loss of about $1.17 million in state funding for the 2009-10 school year, because school districts receive money based on the number of students and attendance.
Phelps said making the tough decision now to close schools will at least provide parents and students with ample notice and information.
The board's decision to set a target of 475 to 500 students per school allows the district to start developing criteria on which campuses should be considered for closure. Baarstad, however, said many factors have to be considered and schools that fall below the target won't necessarily be marked for closure.
"If we go ahead and set the course, it still doesn't mean it's irreversible," Phelps said. "We will set the criteria. Then we can be ahead of the game. Deferring this is a big mistake."
It was standing-room only in the district boardroom Tuesday as parents and others weighed in on the controversial issue.
Parent Charla Peterson said the board should re-examine the budget and look at other cost-cutting measures, including eliminating some administrative positions.
"Let administrators take some of the hit instead of our kids taking the full blow," said Peterson, who has three children attending Wildwood School in Thousand Oaks.
But parent Denise Reader said keeping all schools open during tough fiscal times could hurt the district and students as a whole. "We can't take any more budget cuts," she said.
Baarstad said the district will have better enrollment projections for the 2009-10 school year by May 2008. But, he said, "I don't think the projections will change. I'm praying we will see a spike in kindergarten enrollment next year, but it's been declining for the past five years."
Posted by Poppa on September 20, 2007 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Everyone should beware that Mike Dunn will try and use this as a wedge issue to get two other exremists on the CVUSD Board. If that happens the kind of things they will force on the children of the District are likely to bring lawsuits that could drain millions from the District and cause even more schools to close.
Posted by mlmlcc on September 20, 2007 at 5:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cathy Carlson from TO here: I was at the meeting and spoke several times. It is NOT true that the CVUSD can't make budget cuts. Dr. Baarstad said that was one of the options. Here are some examples of where money can be saved:
Cancel John Hollingsworth's appearance in December. He already got $4,500 from us to speak on "Effective Instruction". Trustee Tim Stephens said they were trying to get him back. Why are we spending $9,000 on a talk for just a small audience? Which trustee told Janet Cosaro, Asst Supt, to get this guy, anyway? What a waste of money.
Also, several Board members are planning to go AGAIN to a convention in October. It appears this will cost nearly $1,000 per person for hotels, meals, travel, and seminars. Not necessary. When I complained on Tuesday, President Delores Didio said "It's not ALL parties!" Thanks for clearing that up, Delores.
The district also is spending money on muffins and fruit to expand the palates and taste buds of Conejo-ans. Don't use tax money for that! Parents have that job, not educators. (The story is in today's Star.) On Tuesday a parent asked me about the budget printed in the agenda. I saw a line item for $5,000 for muffins and thousands of dollars for Odwalla drinks. We wondered if they were going to be resold. Now we know where they went. They are going to buy "tasters" for these 12 schools for a 10 month period. That's $70,000 we could save, at that rate.
We don't need to have another "nationwide" executive search for our next superintendent, when Mario Contini leaves in 2 years. The last 2 supts came from TO!! That must have cost several tens of thousands of dollars, and for what!?? Nothing! There are so many candidates right here, it is not necessary to go outside southern California. SAVE MONEY, and you won't have to close so many schools.
Watch the reruns on Channel 20 on Wed and Fri at 7pm, and Sat at noon. Show up for the next Tuesday night Board meeting on Janns road in 2 weeks at 6 pm
Posted by koolwhazzup on September 21, 2007 at 9:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just what we need-more overcrowded elementary schools-Sorry, Doc, but the District already lost millions before Mike Dunn with closed elementary schools-learn your history!!
State of Calif. school planners have recommended that elementary schools have a maximum enrollment of 350-400 students.
Now neighborhoods near elementary schools will have more "yummie mommies" in their over-sized SUV's racing to get their kids to school, when many of these students could be walking to a school closer to their home.
Let's have Green Dot Charter Schools take over the 2 schools that are slated for closure and bypass this dysfunctional Board of Education!!
(Requires free registration.)
Article discussions on this site are to support community debates of issues related to our stories and editorials.
Discussions should not stray from the subject of the story or editorial.
We do not allow the following:
We reserve the right to delete threads and/or ban users for these or other reasons we deem necessary.
Opinions are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.