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Carissa Plains families press Atascadero Unified to restore grades 6–8 and seek district-led review committee
Summary
Families and students from Carissa Plains urged the Atascadero Unified School District Board of Trustees to restore grades six through eight at the rural Carissa Plains Elementary campus, proposing a locally run virtual program or state waivers and asking the board to form a review committee to study options.
Carissa Plains families and students asked the Atascadero Unified School District Board of Trustees on Tuesday to restore sixth through eighth grades to Carissa Plains Elementary, describing long bus rides and safety concerns on rural roads as reasons to revise the district’s current configuration.
“Please help make that happen,” student McKinley told the board, saying she wakes at 5 a.m. to catch a 6:15 a.m. bus and does not get home until 4:45 p.m. “Long commutes lead to fatigue, anxiety, less time with family,” a parent added, citing Highway 58, La Panza Road and Highway 41 as dangerous stretches.
The community proposed three paths: restoring grade 6 with a credentialed multi-subject teacher under existing state law; pursuing state waivers to allow credential flexibility for seventh and eighth grade instruction in a rural setting; or creating an on-site, district-supported virtual middle-school program tailored for Carissa Plains students. The speaker noted local donors — including two nearby solar plants — had offered financial support to adapt an existing ACE virtual program or create a new on-site virtual option.
Board members acknowledged the request but said the original reconfiguration was the product of a multi-step process and community review. Superintendent Tom Butler told parents the earlier decision had involved a citizens advisory committee and “demonstrated a thoughtful approach, a measured approach,” and that prior administration records show community input was considered.
Several trustees said they understand families’ frustration with the pace of district processes and agreed the matter merits further study. Trustees discussed using a committee or working group to gather updated options and recommendations. Trustee comments captured a preference to involve incoming superintendent Dr. Bennett so the new superintendent can help define committee membership, scope and objectives.
No formal motion to restore grades or to adopt a specific option was made. Instead the board directed staff to capture the community’s request, share it with incoming superintendent Dr. Bennett, and return with a proposal in August that could define a committee or research process to explore program models and potential waivers.
The district noted any program changes would need to be considered districtwide and explained that staffing, credential requirements and broader policy implications would be part of a formal review. The board advised that community members could participate in whatever advisory structure the board ultimately approves.
The board did not set a deadline for the committee’s work; trustees said they expect follow-up this summer and into the fall once the incoming superintendent has reviewed materials and helped scope the effort.
