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Parent accuses district of neglecting Landell elementary childcare and equity; board points to existing programs
Summary
A Landell Elementary parent urged the board to address childcare costs, lack of after-school programs and alleged facility neglect; the district pointed to expanded learning programs and Boys & Girls Club pickup as options.
Zora Cronin, who identified herself during public comment at the May 8 Cypress School District board meeting, accused district leadership of ignoring urgent needs at Landell Elementary, focusing on childcare affordability and alleged inequities in services. "You have knowingly and willingly turned your back on working families who cannot afford before or after school programs," Cronin said.
Cronin presented examples she said represent families at Landell, including a widowed mother she described who walks children to school and cannot afford daycare, and she cited childcare pricing documents during her remarks. She argued the district had referred parents to PTA and volunteer groups instead of providing solutions and accused the district of deeming the neighborhood "wealthy" despite nearby apartment complexes and mobile-home communities.
In response, President Troy Tanaka and Superintendent Solas noted existing district programs and community partnerships. The superintendent explained "the District has an expanded learning opportunities program for families that need extra assistance for after school care and during intersession" and added that the Boys & Girls Club picks up at Landell and "their rates are much more reasonable than OC kids." District staff also said they have received the attachments Cronin referenced and will review them.
Why it matters: Public comment raised questions about equitable access to after-school care, how the district prioritizes programs by site, and whether families in certain zip codes are being underserved. Trustees asked staff to review the attachments and consider programmatic responses.
Next steps: The board acknowledged the submission and said staff would read Cronin's attachments; no formal action was taken at the meeting.
