FOUNTAIN VALLEY : Parents Seeking to Keep School Open

Fountain Valley School District parents opposed to the recommended closure of the district’s oldest elementary school plan to meet Monday to discuss options to keep the campus open.

One approach, parents say, is to urge officials to review area population projections that they claim show student enrollment is no longer declining but has stabilized in the district.

“We are trying to break down this communication barrier between parents and the district,” said Cherrie Dwhytie, one of several parents opposed to the proposed closure of Fountain Valley School, 17911 Bushard St.

Because of declining enrollment, a district committee recommended last month that the school, which has the lowest enrollment in the district, be closed and its students divided among three other schools. The district’s enrollment reached its peak in 1973, when there were almost 12,000 students in 19 schools. The district now has just over 5,000 students and 12 schools.

Dwhytie said parents will discuss a report showing that the area’s population has reached its lowest point and suggesting that closing any schools now is premature.

The meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday at the King of Glory Church at 10280 Slater Ave.

The elementary school has been under consideration for closure for nearly two years, school board member Mary Crossett said.