Davis parents, students protest school-closure proposal

Hundreds of demonstrators turned out Tuesday to protest the proposed closure of a Davis middle school amid an educational budget crisis that has shaken a town with a national reputation for quality schools.

The proposal to close Emerson Junior High School involves sending its 500 students to the city's two other middle schools, with projected annual savings of up to $600,000.

It follows the controversial decision to close Valley Oak Elementary in June due to declining enrollment in the Davis Joint Unified School District. And it comes as the board considers budget cuts – stemming from the state's multibillion-dollar shortfall – that put libraries, music programs and science teaching jobs in jeopardy.

"The promise of Davis as one of the educational meccas of this state is being lost," Glen Farris told the crowd assembled in front of the district offices on B Street.

Many parents in the crowd were angry and shouted their concerns at anyone who would listen. Dozens of students carried red, white and blue balloons and protest signs.

Speaking through a bullhorn, Farris, 63, an archaeologist, said the proposal to close Emerson in west Davis was shortsighted and would tarnish the glowing reputation of Davis schools by increasing class sizes at the other middle schools.

He has two daughters who were set to attend Emerson next year.

Parents, many of whom moved to Davis and paid high home prices so their children could attend the district's esteemed schools, said they are upset at a dramatic move that only recently became public.

There has been little opportunity for input from residents, and district officials have not been forthcoming, they said.

"It's been a mystery process," said Carolynn Aikawa, a former PTA president at her children's elementary school.

Aikawa said she first learned of the plan to close Emerson two weeks ago, after she had registered her daughter to attend the school next year.

The proposed closure will be discussed at the school board's Thursday meeting, which is expected to be contentious and packed with irate parents.

District officials say they have to take action soon, and there is no time to spend months debating whether to close Emerson.

They say they have no choice but to act quickly because of budget deadlines.

If the board doesn't find ways to slash the budget by about $4 million, county education authorities will.

"We have a very major crisis in the short term," board member Richard Harris told a protester.

School board President Sheila Allen said shifting ninth-graders to Davis High School could offset extra students at middle schools, if Emerson closes.

Emerging from the district offices to speak to the crowd, Superintendent James Q. Hammond told the demonstrators he appreciated their show of concern and apologized for having to make important decisions in such a "fast, truncated fashion."

Later, he said a balanced budget had to be submitted to the state by June 30, requiring quick and painful choices.

Many districts around the state face similar dilemmas. Officials are basing their decisions on the governor's January budget; a revised version is expected in May.

"I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that things don't get worse," Hammond said.

Gustavo Soberano, a veterinarian who lives in west Davis, is co-president of the Emerson Parent-Teacher Association and helped organize the demonstration.

The Emerson PTA submitted a four-page letter to the board Monday outlining its concerns.

Closing Emerson, it said, would affect the entire community, not just families with children at the school.

Students would have to make their way across town to either Holmes Junior High School or Harper Junior High School.

With no school buses, they would have to ride bikes on a cross-town trek, take public transit or have parents drive them.

Nicholas Pohl, 11, was planning to attend Emerson next year. He said he was worried about a 30-minute bike ride or having to ask his mother to drive him to school, adding to her already hectic schedule.

"She's going to be late for work," he said.

The PTA also said class sizes would increase at the other junior high schools, increasing such problems as bullying.

Soberano said what's needed is a task force to decide the best course regarding Emerson and more time to discuss it.

Attorney Tim Wallace echoed his comments. "That's what we're searching for," he said, "fairness and a chance to be heard."

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