Raise money, don't close any schools

A recent weekend was very busy for families in the Conejo Valley. Thousand Oaks Little League and Thousand Oak Girls Softball held opening day ceremonies. The Conejo YMCA sent dads and kids to snow camp, and a small group of dedicated parents spent the weekend fighting for their schools.

Earlier that week, Conejo Valley Unified School District presented to the board of education two elementary schools for closure starting in the fall of 2009.

Everybody realizes the fiscal crisis our schools are facing and the terrible position the school board is in.

There are no easy choices on which schools to close. Closing down a neighborhood school will leave longlasting holes in neighborhoods throughout the Conejo Valley. Closing a school won't just interrupt the lives of many families--it will affect relationships for years to come; it will hurt property values; it will build up neighboring private schools; it will enhance our adjacent school districts; and it could cause blight in vacant schools.

Closing a neighborhood elementary school is the easy choice and a quick fix. But until all other avenues have been exhausted it should be the last choice. I urge the Conejo Valley board of education to disband its School Facility Goals committee and appoint a revenueraising committee to explore ways to keep our schools open, our neighborhoods intact and continue to offer award-winning education.
Kerry Kallman
Thousand Oaks