Two Livermore schools forced to close their doors

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Feb 20, 2004 | by Joe Gaspar, STAFF WRITER

LIVERMORE -- School board members voted 4-1 late Tuesday night to close Almond Avenue and Arroyo Mocho elementary schools in accordance with the district's fiscal recovery plan.

A crowd of about 400 filled the Junction Avenue Middle School multipurpose room to witness the board's vote.

Looking somber, Livermore schools Superintendent Brenda Miller told board members, "These are not easy recommendations to bring to you, but they are necessary."

At the board's Feb. 3 meeting, Miller recommended that the two elementary schools be closed at the beginning of the next school year.

Livermore parent Michael Walzer urged board members Tuesday not to shutter the campuses. Walzer is leading a grass-roots fund-raising effort, which he said has raised pledges of about $100,000 in 10 days. Officials have said closing the two schools would save $1 million a year.

"I'm here to say this community is willing to support you," Walzer told trustees. "I'm not looking to point any fingers. What we have to do is stand up as a community, as Livermore, and say we're not going to take it."

School trustees showed their frustration at the meeting, including board member Rebecca Hudson, who said, "I'm angry that we've gotten to the point to make such deep cuts that affect every classroom."

Trustee Tom McLaughlin cast the dissenting vote, saying there are other options that need to be explored, including a parcel a tax in November.

School closures were included in the district's fiscal recovery plan from county-appointed fiscal adviser Jim O'Connor. The county appointed O'Connor to help the district in Nov. 2003 because the district could not meet the state mandated 1.5 percent reserve fund requirement.

After a series of public meetings from November through January, Livermore's School Consolidation Committee recommended three possible sites for possible closure.

The board's decision to close schools and eliminate class-size reduction in kindergarten through third grade would save the district about $2 million. Those actions are included in the district's fiscal recovery plan, which includes more than $2.7 million in budget cuts for the 2004-05 school year.

Trustees considered other cost-cutting measures separately from the school closures, reaching a unanimous decision. The changes include:

Increasing the high school staffing ratio from 28:1 to 30:1 and middle school staffing ratio from 30:1 to 31:1, saving the district a combined $651,600.

Reducing high school athletic funding by $100,000.

Moving the expense of middle school extra classes to a categorical fund, saving $40,000.

O'Connor's recovery plan also outlines a process to release some of the district's unrestricted funds. Currently, 92.6 percent of those funds are used for employee salary and retirement benefits. The plan calls for a renegotiation of retiree benefits.

Facing the possible closure of two elementary schools, parents and community members have explored options including a fund-raising campaign to provide the district with money.

keep the campuses open, and a movement to explore the option of opening a charter school in Livermore.