Over the course of the past few years, the world has been turned upside down with the pandemic. Specifically, the education industry has been severely affected as constant shifts to and from online learning, and various funding issues have impacted the way many schools operate. The matter of financing has become more prevalent throughout the nation, even leading to shutdowns of some schools. The Cupertino Union School District experienced decisions to take such actions within their community.
In October of 2021, the Cupertino Union School District (CUSD) Board of Trustees made the executive decision to close three schools due to the rapid decrease in enrollment and further funding affairs. The Board took a vote and in a 3-2 decision, have concluded to close the Regnart Elementary School and the Meyerholz school site. As expected, many parents are concerned about this decision to close the schools their children go to every day.
Will Xia, a parent with children attending Meyerholz Elementary, is concerned, among many others, about the impact on the community and families shutting down the schools could have. Parents also insist that coming to such a conclusion in the midst of a pandemic is not advantageous, just as students slowly establish a routine from all the switches to and from online learning, with various lockdowns and mask mandates. They also maintain that some parents made the decision to send their children to private school during the pandemic, but now that things have gotten better, they will re-enroll and increase the enrollment rate of the school’s closing. Despite many parents’ opposition, the school board will continue with their plan.
During the school board meeting, the Board of Trustees voted on six recommendations:
The monitoring of enrollment is to continue until the 2025-2026 school year. Should a school’s enrollment fall under 700 students, the district may consider closure.
Muir Elementary School will be consolidated by the district in the 2022-2023 school year. Current students may choose to attend Dilworth or Blue Hills, and Muir YYC & Cooperdoodle programs shall stay on campus.
The Cupertino Language Immersion Program (CLIP) will be relocated to the Muir site.
Regnart Elementary will be closed by the district in the 2022-2023 school year. Students may attend Blue Hills or Lincoln.
Meyerholz Elementary will be closed in 2022-2023. Students will attend Dilworth, however, parents have the choice of Eaton or Blue Hills as well.
No more than four kindergarten classes shall be afforded to alternative school programs (CLIP, Faria, McAuliffe, and Murdock-Portal).
Many parents are concerned and against this decision, but the CUSD is confident in proceeding with their plans and is implementing them in hopes of securing future financial stability.
Sources:
Handa, Robert. “Cupertino Union School Board Approves Campus Closures, Consolidations.” NBC Bay Area, NBC Bay Area, 15 Oct. 2021, www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/cupertino-union-school-district-considers-closing-consolidating-some-schools/2682350/.
Towne, Erika. “CUSD Board Votes to Close Three Schools in 2022-23 School Year.” NewsBreak, NewsBreak, 26 Oct. 2021, www.newsbreak.com/news/2414681782056/cusd-board-votes-to-close-three-schools-in-2022-23-school-year.
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