VENTURA : School Officials Back Off Basics Plan

Ventura school officials on Tuesday backed off from a proposal to open a back-to-basics program in four classrooms at Will Rogers School because the space is not available.

Ventura schools Supt. Joseph Spirito told the back-to-basics committee that the Ventura Adult School has informed him that they cannot vacate the classrooms in time for a basics school to open in September.

Spirito said the rooms would have to be empty by June for the district to spruce up the classrooms and prepare them for elementary school students.

Because a recent survey shows that there is not overwhelming support for the back-to-basics school at any one elementary school, Ventura Unified School District administrators will have to continue searching for space to open the school, Spirito said.

Assistant Supt. Gerald Dannenberg gave copies of the survey results to members of a committee examining the basics-school concept. Of the 2,468 surveys returned, 1,285 parents expressed interest in such a school, which would require uniforms, strict discipline and parental involvement.

Another 1,183 parents said they are not interested. Although more parents who answered the survey supported the idea, 486 said they could provide transportation to a school outside their neighborhood.

About 32% of parents who received surveys returned them, Dannenberg said Tuesday.

Members of the committee, composed of parents, teachers and staff, said they were disappointed that there is not more support for the basics-school concept. But they agreed they would not give up on the idea.

Dannenberg said he will work with staff to determine if there is room for the back-to-basics school at any other district-owned property. He will return with a report to the basics committee next month, Dannenberg said.