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Board approves Valle Lindo modernization and temporary re‑site plan over community objections, 3–2
Summary
After a staff presentation and extended public testimony urging the district to keep Valle Lindo students together during construction, trustees approved a plan to relocate Valle Lindo students to two nearby schools with added portables; the motion passed 3–2.
The Chula Vista Board of Education approved a staff recommendation to modernize Valle Lindo Elementary and to reassign students temporarily to neighboring campuses with portables, after hearing community concerns about splitting the school. The vote was 3–2.
Why it matters: Families, teachers and several Valley Lindo staff urged the board to keep the school united during construction, warning that splitting students across two campuses would disrupt community cohesion and strain supports for students with special needs. Staff said the chosen option maximizes safety and instructional continuity and reduces overall costs and construction time.
What staff proposed: Presenter Pong described multiple relocation options, including placing 11–13 portable classrooms at either Roar (Roor/Rour recorded in the presentation) or Loma Verde; the preferred plan (option 2) would use Loma Verde and Roor, require fewer portables and additional routes, and carry an estimated incremental cost of roughly $6 million for portables plus a larger $30 million demolition/rebuild project. Staff said the option balances safety and proximity while retaining program integrity.
Public comment: More than a dozen speakers from the Valle Lindo community testified that splitting the campus for two to three years would harm students and erode the school’s culture. Teachers and parents asked for more time for engagement and called for additional transparency about timelines and logistics.
Board decision: Trustees voted 3–2 to accept the district recommendation (motion recorded as passing 3–2). Several trustees supporting the plan asked for strengthened communications, mitigations for counselors and continuity for special‑education services.
Quote: "Mantener a Valle Lindo unido durante esta renovación," urged one parent. Staff said portables and transport logistics were feasible but would require additional routes and supervision.
Next steps: The district will proceed with demolition and submission for approvals, order portables and finalize transportation and student support plans, with commitments for additional family outreach and mitigation measures during the two‑ to three‑year construction period.
