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Claremont School Board Votes to Close Bluff Elementary

News Summary

In a significant decision, the Claremont School Board voted to close Bluff Elementary School as part of a strategy to address a multimillion-dollar budget deficit. This decision will relocate students and staff to Disnard and Maple Avenue schools starting October 20, pending safety inspections. Parents expressed concerns about the impact on their children’s education amid ongoing financial challenges for the district, including staffing shortages and cuts to programs. The board plans to further discuss the implications of this closure in upcoming meetings.

Claremont – In a decisive move to alleviate a multimillion-dollar budget deficit, the Claremont School Board voted 4-1 on Wednesday night to close Bluff Elementary School. The closure, which comes just weeks into the new school year, is part of a broader plan to consolidate schools within the district.

The vote to shut down Bluff Elementary will result in the relocation of its students, along with their current teacher and paraprofessional, to Disnard and Maple Avenue schools. The first day for Bluff students at their new schools is planned for October 20, pending an inspection by the fire department to ensure safety standards are met.

As parents and community members crowded into the board meeting, many urged the board to consider the negative impact of moving children to new educational settings. The concern over the transition was a recurring theme among attendees, with many expressing anxiety about the effects on their children’s education. School Board Chair Heather Whitney raised concerns about the information provided regarding special education staffing shortages at Bluff, which has faced allegations of not fulfilling state and federal obligations for special education services.

The decision to close Bluff Elementary is not only financially driven but is also influenced by staffing issues that may arise in the months to come. Interim business administrator Matt Angell indicated that the closure is still an option depending on capacity issues during the winter months. Consolidating students and teachers throughout the district is anticipated to follow a timeline that aims to be completed by October 15, 2025. This would restructure the schools so that Disnard handles kindergarten through second grade, while Maple Avenue would cater to third through fifth graders.

The board’s decision follows proposals presented by the three elementary school principals, which included options for closing Bluff Elementary as well as reassigning special education case management services. Despite the board’s decision to move forward with the closure, some principals opposed the rapid consolidation plan, calling for a slower approach that would maintain the integrity of the community.

While the board decided to proceed with the closure of Bluff Elementary, additional discussions were forthwith scheduled regarding the staffing and other implications of this change.

The financial difficulties plaguing the district have already led to layoffs, the cancellation of sports programs, and increased scrutiny of operations. Residents in Claremont expressed outrage over a severance package worth $39,500 granted to former Superintendent Chris Pratt, highlighting a sense of distrust regarding the financial stewardship of the district. Contributing factors to the school district’s financial crisis include unfilled vacancies, resignations, and inadequate services for special education.

In light of these ongoing challenges, parents and community members are grappling with feelings of uncertainty and distress about the future of their children’s education amid the budget crisis. The board’s resolution to close Bluff Elementary signifies a critical juncture for the Claremont School District, as it works to streamline its operations and stabilize its finances while addressing community concerns over student welfare and educational quality.

The school board is expected to reconvene to review the implications and feedback regarding the closure of Bluff Elementary as well as the overall restructuring plans in the coming weeks. As the district navigates these turbulent times, the decisions made will have lasting impacts on students, families, and the community as a whole.

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LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER The LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELosAngeles.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and beyond, specializing in "news you can use" with coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while delivering top reporting on high-value events like the Academy Awards, LA Auto Show, and Los Angeles Marathon, extending coverage to key organizations such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, plus leading businesses in entertainment and technology like Warner Bros. and SpaceX, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREAnaheim.com , HERECostaMesa.com , HEREHuntingtonBeach.com , and HERESantaAna.com , providing comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape. HERE Anaheim HERE Beverly Hills HERE Coronado HERE Costa Mesa HERE Hollywood HERE Huntington Beach HERE Long Beach HERE Los Angeles HERE Mission Viejo HERE San Diego HERE Santa Ana