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Lennox board approves Felton Elementary consolidation after contentious public comment; vote 4–1
Summary
After hours of public comment and board debate, the Lennox School District board voted 4–1 on Dec. 16 to advance a plan to close Felton Elementary at the end of the 2025–26 school year and adopted Resolution 11-25-26 to begin consolidation planning. Trustees said the move is driven by declining enrollment and multiyear fiscal projections; opponents called for more time and supports for special‑education students and staff.
The Lennox School District Board of Education voted 4–1 Tuesday to advance the superintendent's recommendation to close Felton Elementary as part of a school consolidation plan, adopting Resolution 11-25-26 to begin transition planning.
Superintendent David Tien told the board the recommendation follows an 11-month review that included contracting with outside consultants and convening a superintendent's advisory council to evaluate enrollment, facilities and special‑education needs. "Tonight, I make my final recommendation to the board as well as an action item on tonight's agenda," the superintendent said as he introduced the proposal to close Felton at the end of the 2025–26 school year.
Board members spent more than an hour debating timing and the potential impact on special‑education students and staff. Trustee Marisol Cruz said the district has time to delay a closure and urged one more year for transition planning:…
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