• Overview
• Key Points
• Update to Superintendent from Committee Chair (11/21/08) 
• Meeting Schedule & Information
• Contact Information

Overview
The Small Schools Committee is comprised of eight members appointed by the superintendent in consultation with the Board of Education trustees. The committee will examine school facilities seeking better ways to house district programs and utilize district facilities. It will first work with staff to identify sites that the district might consider for closure and report them to the superintendent, along with an underlying rationale. Early in 2009, the committee will send its report to the superintendent, who is expected to discuss with the trustees.

After its initial report, the committee expects to continue working to identify sites and programs throughout the district that will remain open but might be re-configured more cost effectively.

Key Points

1. The Small Schools Committee was established by the superintendent in response to the Board of Education’s request to study under-utilized, under-enrolled schools. The district estimates that it costs $400,000-$600,000 to operate an elementary school with low enrollment.
2. The committee will make recommendations to the superintendent on the most cost-effective use of these sites.
3. The committee is made up of eight community members: one appointed by the superintendent and seven designated by each board member, including the two incoming trustees.
4. The Small Schools Committee meetings are public and open to anyone who wishes to attend. The committee usually offers attendees an opportunity to add their ideas to the discussion.
5. The committee has developed objective criteria for identifying schools that may be candidates for closure. These include:
   • enrollment below 400,
   • space under-utilization,
   • declining enrollment,
   • resident and non-resident draw,
   • building capacity and age,
   • Academic Performance Index (API)
   • administrative and maintenance costs per students, and
   • costs of moving programs and staff, providing transportation, adding classrooms and upgrading facilities.
6. Using these criteria, the committee will identify several elementary schools that might be considered for closure and rank them in order.
7. The committee will make its report to the superintendent in January 2009, which will be brought forward to the Board of Education. The board will make the final decision if and which schools will be closed.
8. Closures could be effective for the 2009/10 school year. Sites may be closed as elementary schools and some sites could be re-opened as schools with new academic programs and grade structures or reconfigured as administrative offices. The district will continue to own and maintain all affected school properties.

Meeting Schedule and Information
Meetings are held on the first and third Monday of each month unless otherwise noted. All meetings are public and open to anyone who wishes to attend.

Location
Eugene Brucker Education Center
4100 Normal Street
San Diego, CA 92103

Directions
Hwy 163 to Washington East to Campus Street, turn left on Campus. Vistor parking in front of Ed Center on Normal St. Other parking lots are permit only.

2008-09 Schedule
Meetings are held on Mondays from 12-1:30 p.m. in room 2226 unless otherwise noted.

Contact Information
Eugene Brucker Educations Center
4100 Normal Street
San Diego, CA 92103

(619) 725-8191