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Board rejects motion to reverse Steele Lane closure after emotional public comment
Summary
A motion to reverse the board’s decision to close Steele Lane Elementary tied 3–3 after extensive public comment and trustee debate over capacity, equity and projected savings. Trustees warned reversing closures could undermine the district’s fiscal plan.
A heavily attended Santa Rosa City Schools board meeting on March 11 featured more than an hour of public comment urging trustees not to close Steele Lane Elementary, but a motion to reverse the earlier closure decision failed on a 3–3 vote.
Dozens of students, teachers and parents described Steele Lane as a community anchor and urged the board to pause or rescind the closure plan. Students said closure would disrupt families and friendships; teachers and former staff emphasized long relationships and programs they said would be lost.
"Steele Lane is a gem," teacher Kristen Ott told the board. "Closing it now removes valuable long‑term options for this district."…
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