District to hold school closure forums District to hold school closure forums (November 12, 2004)

School may be selected for closure in two months

By Huong C. Pham

Despite a judge's decision not to freeze Mountain View-Whisman's parcel tax funds, the district is getting ready to close a school. And trustees decided last week to hold two community forums to take public input on the matter.

The decision as to which one of the district's nine schools will close will be made some time in January 2005, said board President Rose Filicetti. Declining enrollment and the financial burdens it created are being credited for the need to close a campus.

Parents will have the opportunity to express their thoughts and concerns on the impending decision to the school board at forums scheduled at Crittenden Middle School on Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. and Graham Middle School on Nov. 19 at 7 p.m.

Following those dates, there will be no more open forums regarding school closure although the public is permitted to attend the school board's regular meeting, said Kathi Lilga, executive assistant to Superintendent Eleanor Yick.

While at the public forums, parents will receive information regarding the reasons for a campus closure and learn about the criteria that the School Closure Task Force -- a district group that includes parents, teachers and administrators -- consider important in deciding which school to close.

After the task force has gathered enough information, it will make a recommendation to the superintendent on one or two schools to be considered for closure, added Filicetti. Yick will then recommend one school to the board to be shut down.

E-mail Huong C. Pham at hpham@mv-voice.com

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