By Jose Escarce Member, SMMUSD Board of Education
Re: “School district losing students (SMDP, Feb. 20, page 1). Thank you for your coverage of our district’s enrollment decline. However, your reporter misinterpreted what I said during our conversation. I made it clear that the drop in enrollment was an anticipated and desired consequence on the moratorium on permits that the school board established about five years ago. I also said that I was an avid proponent of the moratorium when we implemented it and that I still support it without reservation. I believe strongly that shrinking our schools and enhancing their sense of belonging to the community are important goals. However, I pointed out that that the revenue loss from declining enrollment was likely to force difficult tradeoffs, if not this year then in the near future. Although personally I would keep the moratorium, the community needs to weigh in on how to manage these tradeoffs. The school board will look to parents and other community members to express their opinions when this issue comes before the board.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 22, 2006. Read the original PDF.