February 23, 2023 

Re: School Consolidation & Meetings Postponed

Dear OVSD Parents and Guardians,

First and foremost, thank you for caring and being staunch advocates for our OVSD students. I appreciate all of you who either attended in person or listened virtually to our Community Meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday. We began our Listening Tour as part of the School Consolidation process at Circle View Elementary School.  Last night, we met again for a second evening of listening at Village View Elementary School. Please be assured that Superintendent Conroy, the Board of Trustees, and I, are intently listening at our Community Meetings.  Additionally, we are reading every communication sent to us. Among the many thoughtful points and ideas that have been shared thus far, these are some of the strong take-aways:

- Don’t close my child’s school
- Slow the process down and evaluate other options
- Give parents more opportunities to participate, and
- Consider the impacts on children who have just had to go through the COVID disruptions.

I have taken these sentiments to heart and agree that the process for evaluating school consolidation is moving too fast. As President of the Board, I have decided to postpone the current consolidation study. I have asked Superintendent Conroy to work with his staff, our Ocean View parents, and community to develop a range of future options for the Board to consider as it determines how to deal with the District’s ongoing declining enrollment.

I will not agendize any Board action regarding potential school consolidation or school closure for the 2023-2024 school year.  

Given this change in plans, the community meetings scheduled for Spring View Middle School tonight and Golden View Elementary School next Monday will be rescheduled for a later time.  We very much want to hear from our Spring View and Golden View families and we will develop next steps and options to present for feedback when we have our rescheduled meetings. 

In the meantime, the Board of Trustees, Superintendent Conroy and his Executive Cabinet continue to welcome your input.  Please share your thoughts and questions with us at hr@ovsd.org. 

I appreciate your involvement in your child’s education and thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to develop an improved work plan that will allow us to continue to provide academic excellence while addressing our District’s declining enrollment. 

Thank you,

Patricia Singer
President, Board of Trustees

*You may email feedback regarding school consolidation at schoolconsolidation@ovsd.org.