Let's keep the doors open at Maple Elementary

I'm a Conejo Valley business owner and concerned parent of Maple Elementary School--one of the schools listed for possible closure.

Upon leaving the Thursday evening meeting, I have the same unanswered questions I had prior to the meeting. I'm sure the school board has done projections, listing possible scenarios of new school boundaries for each school considered for closure.

None of these "new options" were presented; in fact, those questions were specifically not answered.

Secondly, the board members in attendance addressed parent concerns of possible transfers to lower-performing schools with the talking point "a child's test scores will travel with him." This statement doesn't take into account the logical and scientific reality of peer influences. Would any parent in their right mind put their precious child in a position of language barrier, copy-cat gang behavior, a large lost-in-the-crowd position and overall lower test scores?

Maple is unique; we have a strong PFA board of dedicated parents producing unbelieveable results: fundraising for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, art, music, choir, P.E., a computer lab, an exceptional library and a science lab coming soon. This is possible with the unconditional backing of involved parents--something not all elementary schools can claim.

In the "real world" the CEO of a company may take a pay cut or not take an annual bonus for an underperforming year. Might this be an option for Conejo Valley Unified School District?

Many ideas have been presented for filling the gap left by lower enrollment in CVUSD. Have these considerations been thoroughly taken into account?

I'm one of the parents with multiple children in elementary school who's now strongly considering private school. Sorry, CVUSD, my job is to nurture my children's souls, and being shoved into a crowded or underperforming school doesn't fit the bill.

Here's hoping the board will revisit the issue and choose wisely.
Kriss Hurdle
Newbury Park