Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Closure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Pleasant Hill residents urge board to invest in LH Williams Elementary rather than close it
Summary
Community members told the board they oppose closing LH Williams Elementary, arguing enrollment falls partly from prior redistricting and that investment—updated technology, programming and staffing—would attract families back to the school.
Three speakers from the Pleasant Hill community addressed the board during public comment and asked district leaders to pause any plan to close LH Williams Elementary and instead invest in the school.
Nefertara Clark Miller, an attorney and new Pleasant Hill property owner, said enrollment shortfalls reflect a lack of resources and opportunities, not community failure. "Before this board makes a decision to close, please make a decision to invest," she told the board, urging upgrades in technology, extracurriculars and staffing to make the school attractive to families.
George Muhammad, president of the Pleasant Hill Neighborhood Organization, said prior redistricting removed 100–150 students from the Pleasant Hill attendance area and that the board should consider magnet or specialized programming to increase utilization rather than closure. He urged the board to partner with neighborhood stakeholders and cited community initiatives aimed at revitalization.
The board received the comments; no action on school closure was taken at the meeting. Several speakers asked staff to consider converting LH Williams into a magnet program and to provide investment plans that could increase enrollment and community confidence.
