A decision is nearing toward closing one of three schools in the Penn Valley Union Elementary District one year from now. A town hall meeting is scheduled this evening at Ready Springs K-8 School, which is not being recommended for closure by a committee of administrators, teachers, staff, parents, and other community members. District Superintendent Torie England says the focus is on closing either Pleasant Valley or Williams Ranch school, and forming a second K-8 at the school that stays open…

click to listen to Torie England

England says three cost scenarios will be presented, plus one that would close BOTH schools. But she says that option is not actually under active consideration. She says most of the feedback she’s heard from parents would be keeping both schools OPEN…

click to listen to Torie England

District enrollment has been declining steadily over the last 10 years, with about 600 students enrolled this school year and a projected budget deficit of 120-thousand dollars. Without a school being closed by 2017-2018, that deficit is expected to jump to 450-thousand dollars. Closing a school would save 250 to 300-thousand dollars. Tonight’s meeting starts at 6, with information being presented at the next District Board meeting on September 13th, for a possible final decision.