Media Alert
ROWLAND UNIFIED BOARD APPROVES SCHOOL CLOSURES
ROWLAND HEIGHTS, CA – JUNE 9, 2010 – The Rowland Unified Board of Education voted 4 to 1 last night to approve recommendations of the School Facilities Utilization Task Force to close Farjardo Elementary School in Rowland Heights and La Seda Elementary School in La Puente Rincon Intermediate School in West Covina
“No one wants to close a school,” said Rowland Unified Superintendent Dr. Ott. “This was one of the hardest decisions our Board has ever had to make. We are facing devastating losses of revenue – continued declining enrollment and state budget cuts now in excess of $1,000 per student – which combined equals more than $5 million in reductions next year. The closures are necessary to maintain the quality of educational programs for all of our students, and the District’s fiscal solvency. We will work closely with our families and staff to ensure a smooth transition.”
Families of Farjardo and La Seda Elementary Schools will be notified this week of their new school attendance choices. “Siblings who are in the same school will be kept together,” said Ott. “We are forming transition teams at each school site to support all the issues associated with the closures.”
Dr. Ott commends the members of the School Facilities Utilization Task Force for their integrity in handling a very difficult process. Task force members included representatives from employee, parent and community groups. The team carefully analyzed the feasibility of closure for every school site and factors considered included proximity to other schools, total loss of student enrollment, travel distance for students and parents, and safety.
Long term use of these schools will be studied immediately, and in the short-term, these will be used for interim housing during modernization efforts at nearby schools.
For the latest budget updates and District news, information can be found at www.RowlandSchools.org
The Rowland Unified School District is proud to serve 16,500 students at 23 elementary and secondary schools in the communities of Rowland Heights, Walnut, La Puente , City of Industry , and West Covina Community Education School
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