LAKE COUNTY ? The Konocti Unified School District will reconfigure all of its elementary school sites to serve grades K-8.
The decision, which passed unanimously during Wednesday”s regular board meeting, follows last week”s decision to close Oak Hill Middle School. The district has been evaluating options for cutting $1.2 million from next school-year”s fiscal budget. Public discussions have been held for more than a month, in which public input was collected from various members of the community including parents, teachers and students.
Following last week”s decision to close Oak Hill, the board was left with making a decision in regard to possible scenarios for
reconfiguring the grades. The board was looking at grade separation, which would have affected both elementary sites located within Clearlake city limits; or realigning all four elementary sites to serve K-8. The board opted for the later, which is to take effect beginning the 2009-10 academic year.
The closure of Oak Hill results in a $1,025,680 cost savings. The cost associated with shifting students to other sites is $265,980 for a net savings of $759,700. The cost associated with facility needs for the reconfiguration is $475,500, which will be funded through developer fees and redevelopment and Williams funds.
The closing of Oak Hill eliminates two principals, three regular education teachers, one special education teacher, five QEIA-paid teachers, a counselor, three secretaries, one librarian, 1.35 full-time campus supervisors, 2.5 custodians and 1.5 cafeteria staff. It also results in a $66,200 utilities savings.
Costs associated with staff “add-ins” to elementary schools for student enrollment shifts according the current staffing plan are as follows: Pomo Elementary School, $137,821; Burns Valley Elementary, $37,267; East Lake Elementary, $25,651; and Lower Lake Elementary, $65,241.
Reconfiguring the grades involves changing boundaries within the district. The issue will be addressed as implementation of the reconfiguration progresses.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
