Westminster : Sixth School Is Being Considered for Closing

A sixth school, Neomia Willmore Elementary, has been added to the list being considered for closing due to declining enrollment in the Westminster School District.

Final decisions will be made at a special board meeting at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26. The board also has scheduled 7:30 p.m. public hearings at the three most recent schools added to the list:

Dr. Russell I. Johnson Intermediate School, 13603 Edwards St., Tuesday.

Willmore Elementary School, 7122 Maple St., Wednesday.

James W. Franklin Elementary School, 14422 Hammon Lane, Huntington Beach, next Thursday.

Enrollment in the district has plunged from a high of nearly 14,000 in 1968 to 7,450 this year. Five schools were closed in the 1970s due to the drop.

The 7-11 Committee, an 11-member citizens group established last summer to study the problem, issued a recommendation in November that the district close Virginia K. Boos, Ada E. Clegg and John F. Land Jr. elementary schools, a move expected to save $450,000. Public hearings were held at each in January.

Johnson Intermediate School was also recommended for closing, then dropped from the list, then reinstated last month with Franklin Elementary School.

“An underenrolled school cannot offer the same quality of programs as a full school,” committee member Toby Rothschild said. Opponents of the plan concede that some action is necessary but have urged the board to consider measures to keep schools open.

The committee also has suggested moving sixth-grade elementary students to the intermediate schools, thereby creating a middle-school concept.