Becky Kirchner Submitted this information on Rose Drive Elementary and the possible closure of the school.
The Placentia Yorba Linda Unified School District is currently studying the option of closing Rose Drive Elementary School, or in their words, consolidating, to save several million dollars in Measure A bond funds that have been approved and designated for the refurbishment of El Camino Real Continuation High School.
The school district has approved and assigned 5.5 million dollars of Measure A bond money to refurbish El Camino Real Continuation High School. The district is claiming that it will cost almost twice that amount for the refurbishment. At no time, has the public been able to review a quote nor is it clear that the school board has actually received a quote for that matter, and if they have, the numbers may very well be inaccurate.
We have met and consulted with several state approved contractors who all unanimously, but separately, informed us that a full and complete refurbishment could be done for under 5.5 million dollars. This does not mean an entirely new facility, built from the ground up, but it does mean total replacement of all modular buildings, including new two story structures, which would free up land for other uses. Because the district is not breaking ground, there would be no hidden additional costs, such as underground gas line or the railroad, which the board claims could be responsible for an additional 10 million dollars in construction costs.
As an alternative to the refurbishment, the school board is proposing to close both Rose Drive and El Camino Real Continuation High School. Further, they plan to misappropriate designated bond money to convert Rose Dr. Elementary to a Continuation high school, a project that was NOT approved by voters for the Measure A. They are also proposing to transfer all Rose Drive Elementary School students, including child care, to surrounding schools, further crowding our already over-crowded classrooms. The ripple effect of this ‘consolidation’ will be felt throughout our school district, community and neighborhoods.
Per the Measure A Bond Project List, http://www.ocvote.com/election/pri0208/PYL-WEBVERSION.pdf, the funds are only to be used to repair and upgrade local school buildings. No where does it state that the funds may be used for school consolidation.
We are optimistic. We have received OVERWHELMING public opposition to this plan, evidenced by our nearing 800 members on Facebook alone. Additionally, we have over a thousand signatures on the petition, and 100 or so concerned community members attended the last Rose Drive PTA meeting, wondering how they could help.
As a parent of a Rose Drive Elementary School student, I hope that the school board will keep their promise not to close schools and use the approved funds to refurbish El Camino Real Continuation High School. The El Camino Real students deserve what they were promised, and Rose Drive students deserve to stay at their school.
One last bit of information….During a time of extreme financial stress, and during the very same PYLUSD Board meeting that spoke of school closures and school consolidations, a 5TH Assistant Superintendent was voted into office by our school board to fill a space by a leaving assistant superintendent. Why not, as an act of fiduciary responsibility, leave the position vacant, and allow the work to be delegated to others to save the over $100K in salary?
Thank you again, and if you have any questions you may find us on Facebook-Save Rose Drive or at saverosedrive.org.
You can also sign the petition electronically here:
http://gopetition.com/petitions/save-rose-drive-elementary.html
