After hours of public comment and board debate, the Lennox School District board voted 4–1 on Dec. 16 to advance a plan to close Felton Elementary at the end of the 2025–26 school year and adopted Resolution 11-25-26 to begin consolidation planning. Trustees said the move is driven by declining enrollment and multiyear fiscal projections; opponents called for more time and supports for special‑education students and staff.
The Lennox School District presented a first interim financial report on Dec. 16 recommending a positive certification. The district reported enrollment of 3,703 (funded ADA 3,760), a projected $1.7 million revenue increase from a state discretionary grant and a projected $3.3 million rise in expenditures; multiyear projections showed an unassigned balance falling to roughly $763,000 by 2027–28, prompting an early‑retirement incentive to reduce layoffs.
The board discussed and reviewed multiple business items including farm-to-school tasting grants, service agreements (Lexia Learning amendment, Bark Therapy Dogs, Sunbelt Staffing), use of Prop 28 arts funding and a first reading on rescinding some work-based learning regulations; a trustee moved to table two rescission items.
Instructional Services told trustees the district’s SBAC math achievement rose at multiple sites, several schools improved English-learner progress, and the district is not in state 'differentiated assistance'; chronic absenteeism rose and was flagged for follow-up.
Public commenters urged the Lenox Board of Trustees to delay a proposed Felton Elementary closure, citing student-centered transition needs and special-education concerns; district legal counsel advised a trustee that state conflict-of-interest rules do not require recusal because the recommendation does not include selling the property.
Superintendent Gabriela Tabiner told a town hall audience the district faces deep enrollment declines and recommended the board close Belton Elementary at the end of the school year; the board will make a final decision on Dec. 16 after the district collects public comment and presents additional materials.
Superintendent Gabriela Tividian recommended closing Felton Elementary at the end of the school year because of long-term declining enrollment and ongoing fiscal shortfalls; the recommendation will be presented to the school board on Nov. 7 with a board action scheduled for Dec. 16. Parents, staff and special-education advocates raised concerns at
Superintendent Davidian told the board that a superintendent advisory council working with consultant MGT Services recommended considering school consolidation and that she had provided a tentative recommendation; she stressed the recommendation is not final and said town halls will precede a final board vote on Dec. 16.
Jefferson Elementary Principal Robert Estrada presented the school's theme 'Together, we grow', described triage and MTSS/Tier 1–3 supports driven by STAR assessments and trimester data meetings, and highlighted awards and student recognitions for its 700+ students.
Dozens of parents, teachers and union leaders urged the board to slow the process, hold site-specific town halls and ensure Individualized Education Program (IEP) protections if schools consolidate. The union pressed for better compensation, permanent class-size and planning protections and careful attention to staff transitions.
