Four schools could close under district plan

Under a district proposal to immediately save $4 million, four Redwood City elementary schools could close by the end of the year — a move that parents claim targets low-income Latino students.

The San Mateo County Office of Education has given the Redwood City School District until Dec. 15 to come up with a three-year plan to save $10 million to make up for declining student enrollment. The recommendation to close schools comes from an advisory committee — comprised of parents and staff — that has been meeting since spring.

According to the district, 1,400 students have left since 2012, with the district losing $10,000 per student.

For nearly four hours Wednesday night, dozens of people packed the Fox Theater to urge the board not to close the schools. Many pointed out that the targeted schools — Hawes, Fair Oaks, Adelante and Orion Alternative — are disproportionately attended by low-income Latino students who are English-language learners. Several parents whose children attend these schools say they work two jobs and don’t have their own vehicles, which would make it difficult to get their kids to schools no longer within walking distance.

“Our school is our second home,” Rosalvo Rodriguez, a Spanish-speaking parent, said through a translator. “This is like being evicted.”

In response to those concerns and resentment that Taft Elementary also is to close next year for a twoyear redesign project, board members indicated they’d prefer to move Fair Oaks stu- dents to nearby Taft so the neighborhood retains a community school. Taft is large enough that it could remain open while it is redesigned, they said.

Superintendent John Baker noted that all special education, preschool and after-school programs will continue for those already enrolled. But where exactly the programs will be held has not yet been determined.

Board members said the district will provide transportation for students attending new schools that are too far and whose parents can’t take them. If there’s a fee for the transportation, it would be on a sliding scale based on income levels, board members said.

The board is expected to vote on the recommendations at its Nov. 28 meeting.