Carpinteria families advocate to preserve Family School amid budget cuts

The Carpinteria Unified School District Board meeting on February 11, 2025, was marked by passionate discussions surrounding the potential closure of the Carpinteria Family School and the discontinuation of the GATE program due to budget constraints. Community members, including parents and students, voiced their strong support for the school, emphasizing its unique educational model and the critical role it plays in the community.

The meeting featured heartfelt testimonies from parents like David Harrows and Alyssa Margolin, who highlighted the school's focus on whole-child development, individualized learning, and the benefits of mixed-age classrooms. They argued that the Family School not only provides a nurturing environment but also enhances property values and attracts families to the area. Margolin noted that the school scored highly on academic performance metrics, outperforming 92% of similar institutions in California.

Students also took the podium, sharing their personal experiences and the joy they find in attending Family School. Harper Harrows, a fifth grader, expressed his love for the school and the enriching activities it offers, while third grader Malik Barneche emphasized the supportive community and the importance of the GATE program in fostering his academic growth.

Several parents proposed alternative solutions to the proposed cuts, suggesting that the board could maintain the second and third-grade class at Family School without significant budgetary impact. They argued that preserving this option would not only benefit current students but also ensure that future families have access to a high-quality educational choice.

The discussions also touched on broader themes of community engagement and the importance of maintaining diverse educational options within the public school system. Parents expressed concerns that closing Family School would lead to a loss of choice for families and could drive students to seek alternatives outside the public education system.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the deep commitment of the Carpinteria community to its schools and the urgent need for the board to consider the long-term implications of budget cuts. As the board deliberates on these issues, the voices of parents and students will likely continue to resonate, advocating for the preservation of a beloved educational institution that has become a cornerstone of the community.