District wants residents' input about ideal school enrollment
By Joann Groff  joann@theacorn.com

After hearing a second presentation designed to help them make a decision to close schools in the Conejo Valley district, the school board is asking for feedback from parents on an ideal average school size.

Jeff Baarstad presented the board with data exploring the relationship between school size and school achievement. He said that based on the research he and former assistant superintendent Richard Simpson studied, the answer is a "mild yes": There is a link between smaller school sizes and higher student achievement.

In smaller schools there tends to be increased teacher collaboration and greater parent involvement, Baarstad said. And fewer children slip through the cracks when more attention is paid to individuals.

"A child who is failing or having social or cultural problems . . . (stands) out better in a small school (rather than) in a big group of kids mostly doing well," Baarstad said. "And there seems to be more opportunities for quality human interactions that lead to positive outcomes. That benefits student learning."

Baarstad said that from the 1960s until the 1990s, the philosophy was bigger is better: Big schools offer greater variety for students and more curriculum choices. Plus, they're more cost-effective.

But now experts are saying that smaller schools have a greater impact in low socioeconomic populations. There are significant cultural and social advantages to small schools, they say, and 50 percent of studies show higher achievement in that environment, while none show higher achievement in large schools.

Baarstad concluded the discussion with an assignment for the board: Establish a target average school size, which will then determine if schools need to be closed.

From an instructional perspective, the target average would be between 400 and 425, while from a budget perspective it would be between 525 and 550. A balance point was established at 475 to 500, but the decision is in the board members' hands.

Calculations show that if the board chooses 450, no schools will close but the budget will need to be cut. Baarstad said possible cuts could target individual programs, administrative services, elementary clerical positions, custodial services or grounds maintenance. But if the average is placed at 475 or 500, three or four schools may need to close by 2010.

Board members and staff emphasized that the number is an average, not an optimum size. There will certainly be schools with higher populations.

Board member Mike Dunn asked about downsizing middle schools and perhaps moving sixth-graders to the elementary schools. Another recommendation suggested moving children from larger schools to the smaller ones, but Baarstad didn't like the idea.

"Balancing school enrollment isn't practical," Baarstad said. "We'd have to build up smaller schools with money we don't have. We built Lang Ranch to hold all of Lang Ranch's kids. We built Sycamore Canyon to hold all of Dos Vientos' kids. I think we need to respect our past decisions."

The board decided to hold a public hearing to gather input from the public concerning school size on Sept. 4.