2 Closed South Bay Preschools Reopen

Two South Bay preschools that closed after allegations of child sexual abuse reopened this week under new directors. However, the owner of one school has been barred from the premises.

St. Cross Pre-School in Hermosa Beach, which closed voluntarily two weeks ago because of a sheriff’s investigation, reopened Monday after a Downey preschool director took it over.

Children’s Path of Manhattan Beach, which the state shut down on March 6, resumed operation Tuesday after its license was transferred to a teacher at the school.

St. Cross Episcopal Church, which operates the St. Cross school, named Patricia Cooper to succeed Vita Pinedo, who resigned as director this month for personal and health reasons. The school had extended its Easter vacation from one week to two so authorities could interview children, parents and staff without disrupting classes, a sheriff’s spokesman said.

Student Safety

“The present administration’s policies in conjunction with an active on-campus volunteer parent program should substantially reduce the community’s concern over the safety of the students,” the spokesman said.

St. Cross had been the subject of a sheriff’s inquiry since early February, when a child witness in the McMartin Pre-School child molestation case testified that he and other children watched the sacrifice of animals in candle-lit ceremonies at the church six years ago.

At Children’s Path, teacher Pamela Cassaday was issued a provisional day-care license by the California Social Services Department. Owner Jill B. Schwartz was prohibited from visiting the school without written state approval.

The license is subject to immediate revocation if Cassaday leaves the school, according to a department spokeswoman, who said parents will be involved in monitoring the school.

Closed on Same Day

Children’s Path of Manhattan Beach and Children’s Path of Hermosa Beach, also owned by Schwartz, were closed by the state on the same day. The action was based on allegations that seven children--six at the Hermosa Beach facility and one in Manhattan Beach--had been molested during a 2 1/2-year period.

More than 80 parents demanded that the Manhattan Beach school be reopened, claiming that one allegation of child abuse was insufficient reason for closing what some termed a model preschool.