Committee to set school closure criteria

Declining enrollment is forcing the San Bruno Park Elementary School District to consider shutting a school for the 2008-2009 school year, but first a committee needs to be created to decide what factors will be used when deciding which school will close.

Between 2000 and 2005, the district experienced a loss of 350 students - more than the number of students at most of the elementary schools within the district. One of the district's goals over the next school year will be to study the future projections and create criteria for deciding which school to close, as well as how to create new school boundaries.

The proposed committee will be a 64 member team with eight representatives from each school site - two teachers, two parents, the principal, a student supervisor and two community members from the school's attendance area.

The topic is being considered because of ongoing declining enrollment. Forecasts predicted a flat enrollment decline in the future, meaning less than 1 percent or 25 to 35 students, Superintendent David Hutt said previously.

The district intends to begin researching a way to reorganize the district and create a plan of action by November 2007. This plan will take into account the capacity at the various school sites, the criteria for choosing a site to close and changing the school boundary lines.

At that point, a committee would look at the options and make a recommendation by January 2008.

A decision will then be made by February 2008.

The board meets 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 9 at the district office, 500 Acacia Ave., San Bruno.