District outlines Middle School consolidation plan; stakeholder committee, family meetings and phased visits planned

District administrators presented a people‑centered plan on Feb. 25 for consolidating Clifton and Santa Fe middle schools into a single middle school.

Dr. Zamaripa and Scott Moses described a four‑phase timeline focused on early communication, repeated engagement, phased implementation and interdepartmental coordination. The district convened a stakeholder committee that will meet monthly from March through June (with potential summer meetings) and includes parents representing the district’s linguistic and program diversity, staff, and special‑education parents.

Principal Ashley Leone said the plan centers on three groups: current sixth graders ("business as usual" with open house and counselor visits), current Santa Fe seventh graders (who will receive targeted supports and multiple transition visits), and staff (formational planning meetings in March–May). The district will run three on‑campus visits for incoming seventh graders and hold a spring carnival to foster peer relationships before the consolidation.

Labor partners (MTA and CSEA) will be engaged through weekly coordination meetings to address staffing, timelines and operational responsibilities. Trustees asked about translation, transportation for meetings and scheduling; staff said meetings will be available in English and Spanish and that online options and translated materials are planned.

Ending — next steps

District staff said they will provide meeting links and an updated calendar for the stakeholder committee and will return with progress updates at future board meetings.