LAKE ELSINORE: Trustees vote to close Hayman school

Board says closing Wildomar school will save money

By RANI GUPTA - Staff Writer | Tuesday, April 22, 2008 10:32 PM PDT ∞

Supporters of Jean Hayman Elementary School in Wildomar who were seen here with the Lake Elsinore Unified School District board in the background attended Tuesday's meeting, at which the board decided to close the school temporarily to save money. / STEVE THORNTON Staff Photographer

LAKE ELSINORE ---- School trustees decided Tuesday to close Jean Hayman Elementary in the fall, over the pleas of teachers and parents who said shuttering the school would eliminate what is a unique atmosphere and traumatize students.

In voting 4-1 for the temporary closure of the Wildomar campus, Lake Elsinore Unified School District trustees said the action was needed to save money because of state budget cuts and requirements that the district adopt a balanced budget by June 30.

"We're down to the wire on time and we're down to the wire on money," Trustee Tom Thomas said.

Trustee Sonja Wilson voted against the closure, saying the district had weathered tough financial times before.

"The money is there," she said. "We don't have to close that school."

District officials scheduled Tuesday's meeting late Thursday, after a presentation showing that although the district had already made about $9 million in budget cuts, the district still faced a $1.7 million budget gap for the 2008-09 school year.

By Tuesday, district officials had revised the figure again, saying an expected influx of state cash for career and technical education would cut next year's budget gap to about $760,000. Still, school officials said closing Hayman was the only option that would save enough money without requiring the teaching or nonteaching union to agree to wage freezes or shorter work years.

Superintendent Frank Passarella said he was "really frustrated" with the teachers union's leadership "because they have not cut a penny." Teachers union President Karl Stuck said the real blame lies with state government.

Before the vote, teachers and parents begged trustees not to close the school, saying it would destroy the neighborhood and student morale.

School officials have said they suggested closing Hayman because it is located near other Wildomar schools that have room for its students. They also said closing Hayman would provide a good opportunity to renovate the aging school without students on campus.

Teacher Joni Ferguson said the school's personnel, parents and students "just click" in a way that would be difficult to replicate.

Even if the teachers follow the students and the school is renovated, Ferguson said, "the spell will be broken and the magic will be lost forever."

School officials said the school will likely be shut for at least two years and trustees will review its closure every year in January.

New attendance boundaries for Hayman students have not been determined, but they could be transferred to up to five elementaries: Railroad Canyon, Ronald Reagan, Wildomar, Donald Graham and William Collier.

Until the new boundaries are determined, school officials won't know the exact savings from closing Hayman. The cost of running the school is about $815,000, not including teachers who would follow students to their new schools.

Closing Hayman will likely require layoffs and shorter hours for nonteaching employees. Assistant Superintendent for Personnel Services Kip Meyer said the staffing reductions will cause a "domino effect" throughout the district because employees whose positions will be cut because of the Hayman closure can bump less senior employees from their jobs.

Parent Erika Meza was disappointed in the decision, saying the closure of Hayman was "planned from the beginning."

Some trustees said Hayman children will adjust as long adults put on a brave face. But Meza said her daughter initially had to attend Graham because Hayman was full when she moved to the district. When she was moved to Hayman, she cried, Meza said, despite the mother's assurances that she would make new friends.

Meza fears another move will be tough on her daughter and other Hayman students.

"It's just back and forth and it's hard for them," Meza said.

Contact staff writer Rani Gupta at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2625, or rgupta@californian.com.

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19 comment(s)[-]Go to Top

Roberto wrote on Apr 23, 2008 3:12 AM:Sonya Wilson made the smart vote...its time to open up the books...let start with the consultants, contractors and the misc. trustee medical plus stipend....one more thing, this is wha the 15 million dollar reserve was for.

to roberto wrote on Apr 23, 2008 6:56 AM:Do you actually think the Board of Trustees is going to "volunteer" their time for this stress and commitment to the district? I don't think you'd find anyone to do that. Their stipend is minimal ($450/month). Their benefits are probably the reason they serve. Without those, however there isn't much. I hate to see JHE closed as well, but those students and teachers will be welcomed wherever they go.

MrsP wrote on Apr 23, 2008 7:10 AM:I agree with Sonja Wilson. The money is there but the school board took the easy way out and didn't come up with any other options. Parents and teachers pleaded for non-closure but also didn't offer any reasonable alternatives, besides pointing at other schools to close, to save the $815,000 shortfall in the budget. We need to look at our state government and combine all our voices to be heard in Sacramento. This huge budget cut in our children's education is totally unacceptable.

traumatize students wrote on Apr 23, 2008 8:24 AM:you're kidding me right?

TickTock wrote on Apr 23, 2008 11:10 AM:This is very sad when a school district cannot manage their funds and plan for the future. Blame the state, blame the teachers union. They should have seen this coming. They should of planned for the future. If there is any school that needs to close in Lake Elsinore, it is Machado. The state score for this school is in the 500's! I personally know people who lie about their home addresses, just so their children won't go to this horrible school. But, Jean Hayman who scores in the high 700's is closing? It does not make sense to me.

john r wrote on Apr 23, 2008 11:22 AM:I was at the board meeting and watched the school board agonize over a difficult decision. While others may criticize the decision, I did not see anyone else come up with an alternative choice. I don't believe that they would have voted to close the school if the money was really there. How does the school board benefit by closing a school? I don't think that was the easy way out. I think they showed courage to others who didn't have to make the decision. It is easy to be the monday morning quarterback.

lifelong resident wrote on Apr 23, 2008 12:25 PM:The minimal amount of money and the benifits (medical), that a school board member receives, are fair compensation, for all the time they put in.
As I have stated before, I was a board member on a local school board a number of years ago.
You work at your regular job 40 plus hours and you have agreed to take on the extra responsibility of being a board member too. Add another 25-30 hours a week there, for that job too. And you still have your family to spend time with also.
As a board member you go to different schools. Attend programs, award ceremonies,sporting events, interviews, public coffee's, hearings, meetings, etc.
You drive to all these events. Gas costs money. Your time has to be worth something too. What they receive in compensation is minimal, for the amount of time most members put in.
The next time there is an opening, put your name on the ballot and see what the job is like, it's not as easy as it looks.

WILDOMARTIAN wrote on Apr 23, 2008 12:41 PM:When it comes to choosing between the closing of any school (for financial reasons only) or keeping the district's sports programs (NOT A GRADUATION REQUIERMENT!) during a fiscal crisis operating. I vote for shelving the sports program and keeping the school OPEN! Jean Hayman is rolling in her grave!

Not the truth wrote on Apr 23, 2008 12:46 PM:Close to remodel? I heard district is going to lease building to city of Wildomar so they have place for their new city government.

WILDOMARTIAN wrote on Apr 23, 2008 1:16 PM:When it comes to choosing between the closing of any school (for financial reasons only) or keeping the district's sports programs (NOT A GRADUATION REQUIERMENT!) operating during a fiscal crisis. I vote for shelving the sports programs and keeping the school OPEN! Jean Hayman must be rolling in her grave!

Mr. P wrote on Apr 23, 2008 1:17 PM:Thank you Sonja Wilson, you got my vote!

Roberto wrote on Apr 23, 2008 3:27 PM:Boo-hoo!...the trustees need medical, travel and 450 a month to serve the community...do you realize how silly that sounds?...as for Jean Hayman, keep Sonya, dump the rest.

sad teacher wrote on Apr 23, 2008 3:32 PM:As a teacher at Jean Hayman, I am saddened by the closing of the school. I am also saddened by the fact that the superintendent has now tried to blame the teachers, saying we haven't given anything. I think my extra time, money out of pocket and devotion to my students is more than they have given, and it can't be placed with a price tag. Unfortunately, the district has gotten their budgets way off course and has to blame someone, might as well be us! I just hope that wherever the students end up, they are truly welcomed with open arms by their new schools and can survive this trama. I have to give Sonja Wilson kudos for sticking by her guns and voting against the school closure! Thank you!

RR wrote on Apr 23, 2008 6:09 PM:Closing a school is a joke when other schools are still spending at full potential. why aren't all the schools in the district trying to save every penny in order to save a school. I understand haymen needs renovation, but they could have gone about this in a different way. I am a part of the PTA and our school will welcome the students with open arms, but I really feel that the schools need to look at their spending and what the priorities are.

RR wrote on Apr 23, 2008 6:15 PM:I Feel teacher salaries should not change its not their falt. Don't cut sports, try cutting the music programs or not paying for these new programs(math, writing), use the ones that are available and apply what you can. Our kids need the sports all we do is complain about them being over weight. Lets keep the money were it belongs and stop implementing things we don't nees

Amazing wrote on Apr 23, 2008 9:50 PM:Sports, music, cheerleading, dance, drill team are all activities that aren't "required" but are part of a well rounded, school involved child. I can not even begin to imagine a high school without the majority of these extra-curricular opportunities. I know the school my children attend will be receiving a good portion of JHE students and teachers and we will welcome them just as we do any new students. I am truly sorry to see any school close, even if temporary. However, if, as adults, we have a negative attitude in front of our children about the decision that has been made, it will rub off on them. On the other hand, if we make the best of a bad situation and encourage our children and ensure them that it will be o.k. the transitiion will be much easier. If you have suggestions for other budget cuts, make them. You may have an idea that will really make a difference and hasn't yet been considered. Visit the LEUSD website or call and give your input. This isn't the best choice but it is one that our district has made. Roberto.....some of the Board members are up for re-election this year, will we see your name on the ballot as a "volunteer". Yes volunteer....your time, no pay, no benefits. Not many people would do it, will you? I know, I know...."silly" question!

observer wrote on Apr 24, 2008 12:23 AM:Robertos full time job is to sit on this site and write negative comments about everything! He wouldnt dare volunteer to help his community!

Amazed, your right on!

Roberto wrote on Apr 24, 2008 5:49 AM:Very silly question, if I was interested in doing so...keep electing the same ole gang and you will continue to the same ole service...its that simple. If anyone other than Sonya is left after this, we all get what we deserve.

WILDOMARTIAN wrote on Apr 24, 2008 10:08 AM:All sports and the rest of the extra-curricular opportunities are still money drains. As far as students being over weight, well that's what the regularly scheduled P.E. classes are for. Maybe instead of trying to regulate our students diets, have them run (NOT WALK) a few laps! To AMAZING: extra-curricular opportunities may help the students be more "well rounded" but so does little league, Pop Warner, scouts, Boys&Girls Club, etc. And they don't drian the much needed school funds! Also these outside organizations tend to lease our school grounds for their events, thus bring in some funds to our school district!

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