The irony of the Conejo Valley Unified School District administration’s reaction to approval of Bridges struck me.

They’ve assumed the posture of the injured party, lamenting the negative fiscal impact to CVUSD due to the number of students who might leave the district for Bridges.

Funding for education in California is in crisis. There are no simple fixes. Our world is changing quickly, and the traditional model of schooling, which started during the industrial revolution to train factory workers, is obsolete.

A high API score doesn’t guarantee a well educated student; there’s much more to being educated than test scores.

This is why parents are demanding more choices in education, and why more parents are opting out.

It’s past time for our district to stop merely reacting, and to start proactively planning with thoughtfulness and foresight.

Following some years of declining enrollment, the district had the chance to embrace change and take MATES (Meadows Arts and Technology Elementary School) under its wing.

It chose not to, losing 300+ students.

A second chance was given with Bridges, but again CVUSD refused. Neighboring districts, parks and recreation departments, and local vendors, charters and private groups provide services to the hundreds of homeschooling families in our community.

Why doesn’t CVUSD?

Now the district is considering decimating the adult school, potentially turning away 700 families at the Horizon Hills Parent Education program and other students who take classes at the adult school, all told, about 5,000 students.

This scheme is a shortsighted grab for funds that could leave a permanent gaping hole in our community’s educational opportunities. It’s a reaction, with little insight or thought into the long term effects of the decision.

By resisting the tides of change, failing to plan and refusing to embrace new paradigms to provide the best education for the 21st century, the district finds itself in a quandary.

Budget cuts and parents choosing to leave the district have left them floundering. They’re losing the ability to steer the ship, and can only hope to weather the storm. And their best plan seems to be to throw students overboard.
Aimee Freeman
Newbury Park