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Prospect Elementary parents and staff urge board to reconsider consolidation plan
Summary
Multiple Prospect Elementary teachers, staff and parents told the board they oppose a proposed consolidation that would move Prospect students into Esplanade, raising concerns about safety, program space, transportation and the loss of community‑school grant funding.
At the July 14 meeting, six public commenters spoke during non‑agenda public comment to urge the Orange Unified School District Board not to close Prospect Elementary or consolidate its students into neighboring sites.
Speakers representing Prospect described the school as a "community school" with strong academic performance and key partnerships. Lee Lance, a community commenter, said Prospect is "in the top 40% of schools nationwide" and stressed campus safety and ample parking as reasons Prospect would be a better absorbing site than Esplanade. Eileen Zedek, a 24‑year Prospect teacher, warned that doubling participation in VAPA, after‑school and other on‑campus programs would create scheduling and space conflicts and said Prospect can accommodate portables if needed.
Nicole Solaso, a Prospect attendance and health clerk, recounted a personal memory of consolidation in 1984 and said larger enrollment at a consolidated site can make students feel "invisible"; she raised concerns about busing and walkability for families. Esteban Via, a Prospect parent, said closing the school would disrupt relationships that support students and asked the district to provide full transparency on projected savings and transition costs (transportation, staffing and support for displaced students) before any closure decision.
Community‑school funding and services: Esmeralda Garcia, the community site lead at Prospect, said Prospect currently participates in a Department of Education community‑schools grant (district staff said the grant would be extended two more years) and that closing the campus would jeopardize partnerships with the OC Food Bank and other services that many families rely on. Garcia also stated specific dollar figures in the meeting record about funds that would be "left on the table" if Prospect closed (she said "$300,000 for year 4 and [an unclear figure] for year 5"); the transcript contains a partial or garbled numeric reference for year 5 that the district should clarify publicly.
What they asked: Commenters requested (1) a transparent accounting of budgetary savings and transition costs tied to any closure; (2) analysis of impacts on low‑income students, English learners and students with special needs; and (3) clear plans for transportation and continuity of services before taking any final action.
Board response: Trustees thanked speakers and said the board hears the concerns; trustees and staff noted they are listening and taking public input into consideration as any consolidation analysis continues. No consolidation decision or vote occurred at the July 14 meeting.
