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Schools

Moiola Supporters Make Case to Keep School Open

Parents, teachers and students packed the Fountain Valley School District's board room in an effort to save Fountain Valley's only K-8 school.

It was standing room only Tuesdya night for a special meeting of the Fountain Valley School District’s Board of Trustees, during which the board listened to public comments about the proposed closure of Moiola School.

“They have selected a K-8 program that is a magnate and a unique asset,” said Michelle Holbrook, a mother of a former Moiola student. “The district is turning a blind eye to it”.

In order to make up a $2 million deficit, the board elected to look into closing one of the district’s 11 schools. The School Boundaries and Closure committee suggested closing Moiola, the district’s sole K-8 school and one of only eight K-8 schools in Orange County.

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Moiola parents, staff, teachers and students addressed the board using logistical arguments, inquiries and complaints about the closure committee’s methodology, alternative proposals, and veiled threats of not re-electing board members.

“The name of our group is Save Our Schools,” said organizer and mother of current Moiola students Lisa Allen. “Not just Moiola. We don’t want to see any school closed”.

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But it wasn't just the adults who had strong opinions about Moiola's potential closure; plenty of students were on hand as well.

“This is the best school I’ve been to,” said fourth grader Michael Caruso “There are great teachers there and a lot less bullying.  It’s sad to see that all go.”

Moiola fourth grader MacKenzie Michael echoed similar sentiments, “Moiola is a really fun place. Activities, everything is fun there. We have the best mascot ever: the Mustangs."

After the stream of public comments, the board publicly responded, and many of its members were sympathetic to the Moiola community's plight.

“It is difficult to have this discussion with just the five of us,” said Jimmy Templin, one of the newly elected trustees. “In front of 100 people ready to kill, it's just as difficult”. 

Templin’s comment spurred a 45-minute conversation about alternatives to closure, budget cuts, and discussion of the district’s need to maintain a K-8 school.

“I feel for every single one of these people,” Superintendent Marc Ecker said. “They are advocating for their school and that’s their right. I applaud them for it”.

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