School closure recommendations need explanation

I'm looking for clarification on the school closure process. I have attended several meetings where the primary and secondary criteria for closing schools was discussed. The meetings were very informative, and I found the criteria sound and reasonable.

The process marched on, and after the primary criteria was evaluated, our school was on the short list of eight possible schools for closure. I could handle that because I believed the process was fair and equitable.

As the secondary criteria approached, the process was halted. We were told that the school board had received "new information" and had to consider more data before proceeding. We also heard that the district was very focused on diversity, which was going to be a focus on the school closure decision.

I really want to believe that the process stopping was truly due to the need to evaluate new criteria and not because the decision makers and school board were bowing to the collective hissy fit of one school.

Now the facilities committee, the ones who are making a recommendation for which two schools to close, were in a marathon meeting and decided to recommend University and Meadows for closure.

After being told that the process was a mathematical equation and would be available to all families to observe, it came down to a decision in a closed-door session. I know that two schools have to close. I know that everyone believes their school is the best and would be heartbroken if it closed. We are no exception.

I would be able to embrace the decision much easier though if I knew how it was made. How does closing University and Meadows help with diversity? What criteria was used in the decision? How was it weighed? What criteria was discounted and why?

The school board will hear arguments on these two schools on March 4. I hope that whichever two schools end up as the final decision for closure, the board and the school district are prepared to explain the decision clearly so we can all move on. Kelly Aaron Thousand Oaks