More than 250 packed the Lake Oswego High School library as board members voted on school closures. One Uplands Elementary parent, Katya Hirsch, brought a sign urging the board to vote against Scenario "B," which closes three schools next year.-- The
will close one third of its elementary schools over the next two years, despite
and about
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In a unanimous vote before a full house Monday, board members approved closing
next year and
and
the following year. When all three are closed, the district will save about $2.3 million a year.
Board members praised the community's financial support, but insisted the closures are necessary to fill the district's expected shortfall of $5.5 million next year and to maintain current academic programs.
"The problem is that we are in a real economic crisis and there are no good solutions," said board Chairman Curt Sheinin.
Board member John Wendland asserted the majority of Oregon districts cannot say they are keeping their academic programs whole.
"I truly feel we must engage this (three-school closure) plan for the long-term health of our district," Wendland said.
Under the two-year plan, sixth-graders will be sent to a sixth- through eighth-grade middle school configuration in 2012-13. Bryant Elementary's building will be used as part of a middle school.
Though an increasing number of parents have supported closing schools in order to avoid other cuts, that approach did not sit well with vocal critics. Several opposed educating sixth-graders in middle schools. Others said they had donated to the district's foundation with the hope that school closures could be averted. So far, the foundation has raised about $2.1 million.
After Monday's vote, some parents said they will use the next year to attempt to keep two schools open. "It gives us more time to renegotiate and strategize to possibly prevent the other closures," said Marti Sharp, an Uplands Elementary parent.
Before voting, board members credited the community for strongly supporting schools but emphasized the need to make tough choices to preserve the district's high academic standards. "I wasn't that interested in things that parents liked because it made their lives easier," Bill Swindells said.
Lake Oswego joins
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But the district benefits from factors some districts don't have, including a local option levy, a slight enrollment increase and a generous foundation. In addition, city councilors pledged about $1.2 million to schools and hope to give about $2 million in all.
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