Teachers and parents urge Santa Rosa board to keep Steele Lane open
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Summary
Multiple teachers, parents and staff urged the board to reverse or reopen discussion on the proposed closure of Steele Lane Elementary, arguing projected savings are overstated and that relocation plans (about $7M) would harm students and campus communities.
At public comment during the Dec. 17 Santa Rosa City Schools board meeting, several teachers, parents and staff urged trustees to reconsider a proposed closure of Steele Lane campus.
Emily Turk, a teacher at Steele Lane, told the board the district projects $2,000,000 in savings from the closure but is planning to spend about $7,000,000 to house displaced students, calling that “fiscally irresponsible.” She asked trustees to visit Steele Lane and hear site‑level concerns about space for lunch, assemblies and PE.
Multiple other speakers — including classroom teachers, paraprofessionals and parents — described the Steele Lane campus as a collaborative, multi‑age community, highlighted overcrowding effects resulting from earlier elementary closures, and requested the board agendize a reconsideration of the site in January.
Speakers asked the board to use bond funds for facility improvements rather than temporary relocation costs and sought detailed district plans showing how savings and one‑time costs were calculated.
The board noted those public comments will be part of the record and said staff will bring additional data as budget decisions approach.
