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Board votes to close Oakdale site of Community Scholars of Success, transfer students to Civic Center campus
Summary
The San Francisco Board of Education unanimously approved staff’s recommendation to close the Community Scholars of Success program at the Oakdale campus and transfer remaining students to the Civic Center Secondary Center, citing very low enrollment and cost savings; two teacher FTEs will be reassigned and no jobs will be lost.
The San Francisco Board of Education voted unanimously to close the Community Scholars of Success (CSOS) program at the Oakdale campus and transfer enrolled students to the Civic Center Secondary Center effective February. Principal Jim Fithian told the board staff had considered enrollment trends and facility issues and recommended consolidation to improve services and reduce costs.
Fithian said enrollment had dwindled: 18 students were assigned to the program in the fall of 2006 but only five remained enrolled as of Feb. 13, 2007, with an average daily attendance of two. He told the board the district currently pays City College about $8,000 a year to rent space for the Oakdale program. Staff said two teacher full‑time equivalents assigned to the Oakdale site could be transferred to other open positions so no layoffs would result.
Board members pressed staff on outreach to parents and the differences in programing at Civic Center. Commissioners were shown data about retention rates and supports at Civic Center: cafeteria access, a larger play yard, a library, expanded counseling and departmentalized instruction that staff said helped increase attendance and engagement. Staff said many parents had been contacted by phone and in person and that most families of enrolled students had requested transfers.
Several board members expressed regret at closing a site while endorsing the consolidation’s aim to better serve students. After questions and a short discussion, the board called the roll and recorded unanimous approval to transfer the remaining students and close the Oakdale campus.
The board’s action transfers program oversight and students to Civic Center and directs staff to reassign the two teachers to other positions. Staff said additional details about the transfers and family outreach were provided in a confidential packet the board had received at an earlier meeting. The district also noted space rental savings and expected program continuity for affected students.
Next steps: district staff said families will be assisted with the transfer process and that program supports at Civic Center would be maintained and expanded where needed.
