Although a formal study will be done, it looks like one of three schools in the Penn Valley Union Elementary District will likely close by the fall of next year, with those students and staff moving to the remaining two schools. District Superintendent Torie England says a consulting firm has been hired to gather financial and facilities information, which is required by state regulations. The data will be analyzed by a committee consisting of administrators, teachers, staff, parents, and community members. She says enrollment has been declining steadily over the last ten years….

click to listen to Torie England

England says upgrades of facilities is also needed…

click to listen to Torie England

Lower enrollment also means less state funding, which is part of the reason the district is facing a budget deficit of nearly 200-thousand dollars. The committee’s first meeting is expected to be in early May, and they will also hold several public hearings. England says a recommendation by the committee to the school board will hopefully be made in June, including which school should close… either Pleasant Valley, Ready Springs, or Williams Ranch school. The closure would not take effect until the 2017-2018 school year, to allow time for campus retrofitting. England says there would also be some staff layoffs, but that would not include teachers.