Moiola Expected to Keep K-8 Format

Fred Moiola School likely will retain its kindergarten- to eighth-grade format because a proposal to change its class configuration to K-5 and send upper-grade students to middle schools lacks the support of the Board of Education, officials announced late Thursday.

“I do support the option of making Moiola a K-5, but I don’t appear to have consensus to bring it back as an action item,” said Barbara A. Vogel, a Fountain Valley School District trustee.

The announcement drew cheers from an audience of parents who have been working to stop the proposal since fall.

At least four trustees--Joanne N. Lew, Robert J. Sedlak, Julie Hoxsie and Larry R. Crandall--strongly supported leaving Moiola the way it is when the matter finally comes up for a vote, most likely Feb. 27. The four represent the majority needed to kill the proposal.

Thursday’s comments were not a final decision, and board members could change their minds. The matter came up for discussion after a survey of fourth- and fifth-graders’ parents showed that 83% support leaving the school as it is.