Doing what’s best for our students and district

Our recent discussions over closing an elementary school in 2010-11 has prompted me to take a new, hard look at how to improve learning options for our students in the midst of a budget crisis. As a result of my meetings with staff, parents, students and community members, I am considering a new proposal that may include:

· Expanding our K-5 schools to K-6 programs in response to our community’s desire to give our 6th-grade stu­dents one more year of academic and social growth at their current elementary school.

The School Closure Criteria Evaluation Committee is presenting its report to the Natomas Unified School District Board of Trustees at its regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 10, at 6:30 p.m. at the Natomas High School theater.

After lengthy deliberations by the committee Wednesday evening, these schools are the top candidates being forwarded to the Board for closure consideration:

· Bannon Creek Elementary
· Jefferson Elementary
· Natomas Park Elementary