Options for consolidating services within the Konocti Unified School District (KUSD) and other jurisdictions were presented Wednesday during the district”s regular meeting of the board of trustees. Dr. Bill Cornelison highlighted the findings derived by the Committee on Consolidation of Services including four recommendations concerning grade realignment and possible school closures within the KUSD itself.
The committee has been charged with investigating and making recommendations relating to consolidation of services both within and outside the district in order to create cost savings. The committee, composed of school administrators, teachers, parents, district, county and city officials; Lake County Office of Education and Yuba Community College District, has divided its study into five areas: transportation, nutritional services, maintenance services, consolidation of schools and school closures. The study takes into consideration student needs, cost savings, impacts upon staff, time feasibility and community reaction.
“The committee was set up to look at some areas to save the districts some money and to look at what services may be being duplicated or provided by other agencies,” Cornelison said. “Where are those areas that we can find common ground to save everybody money? Those are being worked on right now.”
A few of the recommendations involving outside consolidation of services included ideas such as joint bidding for the purchase of fuel, tires, food and other universal needs. The possibility of entering into cooperative endeavors with local government for providing recreational opportunities was also presented.
“Although it was not a primary task of this committee, there was unanimous agreement that the county, city, district and volunteer sports program leaders should meet and discuss joint endeavors to provide recreational opportunities and coordinate resources,” Cornelison said.
Cornelison reported that the committee has also discussed other possible areas of cooperation in information technology, sharing of resources in grounds maintenance and the possibility of sharing other services when the school district or other agency has trained personnel with a specialty. Other areas of cooperation include public libraries, fiscal services and legal services.
Cornelison presented 10 options for grade realignment and possible school closures within the KUSD, four of which received recommendations by the committee for further study. The committee provided recommendations on the following options:
? Close Oak Hill Middle School and change Pomo, Burns Valley and Lower Lake elementary schools into K-8 schools. This in effect would create four middle schools. Concerns expressed include the quality of the instructional program (music, art, physical education), the junior high athletic program, teacher credentialing, counseling services, time-line issues affecting current seventh graders and capacity capabilities at other elementary campuses.
? Operate four K-8 schools with East Lake closing. The committee reportedly felt that there would be strong community opposition from Clearlake Oaks parents and residents who identify East Lake as a community resource.
? K-8 with grade separation with two schools and Oak Hill closing. This plan would separate students in school by grade level within a central attendance area. Burns Valley would be established as K-3, Pomo as 4-8 and Lower Lake elementary as K-8. East Lake would remain as is and Oak Hill would close.
? Retain existing alignment with Burns Valley closing. Under this plan all schools would remain the same as 2008-09 except Burns Valley would close and the K-6 students would attend other elementary schools. Oak Hill would continue as a 7-8 middle school for all district students except East Lake.
Public hearings have been schedule to allow public input on the recommendations. Public hearings are scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m. as follows:
? Tuesday, Feb. 17 in the Oak Hill Middle School multipurpose room.
? Thursday, Feb. 19 in the East Lake Elementary School cafeteria.
? Tuesday, Feb. 24 in the Lower Lake Elementary School cafeteria.
? Wednesday, Feb. 25 in the Burns Valley Elementary School cafeteria.
? Thursday, Feb. 26 in the Pomo Elementary School cafeteria.
“We encourage all community members to attend,” KUSD Superintendent Dr. Bill MacDougall said. “We will be listing the pros and cons of the four plans recommended to the board by the Consolidation Committee.”
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
