No matter what the district does on school closures, some will be unhappy

The Conejo Valley Unified School District is trying to find the best solution to a perplexing problem: What's the fairest way to close two schools?

To reach an equitable arrangement, the CVUSD will make a preliminary decision based on four criteria. The first priority is resident students. These are children who live within the school's regular enrollment area, not students who enrolled from other neighborhoods. Bigger schools, it would seem, are less likely to close than smaller ones.

The second priority is the capacity of adjacent schools to absorb new students. It's simple--if nearby schools are unable to accommodate new enrollees, it would be folly to close a school in that area.

The third priority is proximity. As much as possible, the district wants to minimize travel distances between schools that close and schools that absorb new enrollment.

The fourth priority is facilities. Schools that offer amenities will be less likely to close. Important considerations are multipurpose rooms, libraries, class sizes, computer labs, staff facilities, administrative and health offices, playgrounds, and traffic and parking.

That's just the first round of the decision-making process. Up to seven criteria may be considered in the second round.

Nobody can fault the district for its scientific approach. Everybody wants to do the right thing.

Unfortunately, it is parents and kids who will deal with the consequences, and no amount of logic will soften the blow for families with schools that close.

It's painful to watch a neighborhood lose a school. People will be inconvenienced. There will be complaints from parents on both sides--those from schools that close and those from schools that open their doors to newcomers.

Most of the children, however, will take things in stride. They'll adjust to a new school quicker than their parents.

Maybe the adults could learn from them.