Public invited to speak on possible public school closures
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

The time is approaching for residents, parents and others to share their opinions on what Conejo Valley Unified School District should do about declining enrollment.

At the district's Sept. 4 meeting, members of the Board of Education will listen to public comments.

The date was delayed until then to make sure that residents were back from summer vacations and could attend.

At a meeting last month, assistant superintendent Jeff Baarstad encouraged the board to specify an average enrollment figure for schools. That information would help administrators decide, he said, if schools would close and possibly how many.

From an instructional perspective, Baarstad said, the target average would be between 400 and 425 students per elementary school, while from a budget perspective, it would be between 525 and 550. A balance point was established at 475 to 500, but the decision remains in the hands of trustees.

Calculations show that if the board chooses 450, no schools will close, but the budget would need to be whittled down.

Baarstad said possible cutbacks could target individual programs, administrative services, clerical positions, custodial services or the maintenance of school grounds. If, however, the average enrollment is targeted at 475 or 500, three or four schools may need to be closed by 2010.

Trustees and staff members emphasized that the number is an average, not an optimum size.

The public hearing will allow speakers to give their advice on what the district should do.

The Tues., Sept. 4 meeting is set for 6 p.m. in the Board of Education meeting room at the district office, 1400 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks.