Lynwood : Wilson Elementary to Begin Year-Round Schedule July 1

The Lynwood Unified School District board has voted 4 to 1 to add another school to its year-round program. Wilson Elementary, straining under an enrollment of 1,221 students, will switch to the new schedule July 1.

Board member Cynthia Green-Geter voted against the change, saying that the district should solve the problems of existing year-round schools before adding another.

One problem has been finding activities and jobs for children at times of the year when they have traditionally been in school. “During the summer, you have all kinds of programs available to accommodate the needs of young people,” Green-Geter said. Some students are getting involved in gang activity during the idle time, she added.

Other board members also singled out problems in year-round schools. Thelma Calvin-Williams said that principals are being forced to work a longer year without higher pay. Board President Joe Battle acknowledged the problem, but said extra compensation should go first to food service workers, janitors and secretaries. “If we got to make some adjustments, we have to start at the bottom and make adjustments upward,” Battle said.

Last July, the district went to a year-round schedule to alleviate crowding at five schools, including Lynwood High and Hosler Junior High. A parents group unsuccessfully sued to stop the year-round plan.