Protesters plead for school

NORTHEAST GLENDALE — The congregants of Zion Lutheran Church on Sunday voted overwhelmingly to close the school’s kindergarten-through-eighth-grade program next school year and shut the doors for this year’s summer school program as more than 100 parents and children demonstrated outside the Glendale parish imploring Pastor Leigh Garrett Hart to keep the school open.

The congregation’s 82 to 2 vote followed last week’s decision by the church council — a five-member bloc of church leaders — to initially opt for the school programs’ closures, citing economic woes and declining enrollment, officials said.

That action by the council, and subsequent vote by the congregation, spurred many to take to the sidewalk Sunday afternoon in front of the church, some holding signs directed toward Hart, others chanting “Save our schools.”

“[Hart] needs to pay for his Porsche and his expensive house,” said Chris Noonan, a former president of the Zion congregation. “This isn’t about not having enough money, and it’s not about declining enrollment.”

Registration at the school is about 110 students, “which is average for the last 15 years,” said Noonan, adding that the church should be audited to fully disclose what, if any, financial woes trouble the 301 N. Isabel St. parish.

Many carried signs that asked for Hart’s finances to be studied, and Noonan passed out leaflets that read, in part, “When the doors are locked for good, you will sell your nice $700,000 house that was paid for on the broken hearts of our teachers, children and congregation and just move on. Shame on you!”

Many parents and church members learned of the school’s closure this week and turned out Sunday to voice their opposition to the unwelcome news of school closures, subsequent teacher firings and opposition to Hart, just as he led services inside the stone building.

“Six months ago I was assured by him — Leigh Hart — that our school, regardless of class size, will remain open,” said Cecille Feliciano, who was forced to find a new school for her kindergartner, third-grader and seventh-grader. “Is anyone talking about the emotional cost to these kids? How can he teach religion and do this to them?”

Hart stepped outside at least twice during the demonstration, each time staying behind the wrought-iron gate that separates the parking lot from the sidewalk. He declined to comment.

The crowd Sunday comprised at least 20 children, some of whom will be affected by the closures.

“I want our school to stay here, to stay open,” said Haley Nelson, 8, behind a sign that read, “Don’t close Zion, close Monster Hart.” “This is very rude of Pastor Hart.”

Nelson was joined by her friend and classmate, Emma Prado, 8, who said she was saddened by the likely loss of friendships as many students seek alternative schools and summer programs.

“I don’t like that he’s shutting down such a great school,” Prado said of Hart. “I’m not going to get to see my friends.”

Many of the demonstrators Sunday felt the only solution to save the school programs — and Zion, by extension — is by removing Hart as pastor of the church.

“Pastor Hart is the problem,” said Carol McDermott, a former member of the church. “If he can’t get his way, if others disagree with him, he cuts programs. He’s cut so many programs, and the school was the final straw.”

The Glendale Police Department had one officer at the event, and church members kept a watchful eye from behind the fence, with one member videotaping the demonstration from the parking lot for church records, officials said.

No incidents were reported during the 90-minute demonstration.

 JEREMY OBERSTEIN covers business, politics and the foothills. He may be reached at (818) 637-3215 or by e-mail at jeremy.oberstein@ latimes.com.