School Closures, Consolidation and Revitalization Plan

June 3, 2024 

  

Dear Baldwin Park Unified Community, 

 

I hope this message finds you well. Since our last School Closures, Consolidation, and Revitalization Plan update, our school staff and District administrators have been working diligently to ensure a smooth transition ahead of the Central and Margaret Heath elementary school closures. I am writing to share the progress we have made and to inform you of the next steps as we move forward.  

 

Currently, no discussions on future school closures are taking place, as we focus our efforts on the transitions for this year. The District will be sure to communicate any future news regarding public meetings on school closures, but none are planned at this time. 

 

Our transition support initiatives for Central and Margaret Heath Elementary, including principal meet and greets, support services, and school campus tours, have been pivotal in ensuring a smooth transition for students and families during the school closure process. 

 

  • Principal Meet and Greets: These sessions have allowed for valuable opportunities for families to connect with new school leadership. 
  • Support Services: Our team has been offering comprehensive support services to assist students and families during this transition. 
  • School Campus Tours: School tours were organized for students and staff at the new schools to welcome incoming students with warm signs, guided tours, and engaging activities. 

 

The Maintenance and Operations teams have been hard at work making necessary updates to our school campuses. The team has also scheduled additional work to be completed over the summer to ensure that campuses are ready to welcome students into optimal learning environments.  

 

These projects include: 

  • Bathroom renovations 
  • Playground updates 
  • Classroom layout plans, including wellness centers at all schools 
  • New blacktop concrete installations 
  • Improvements in accessibility 

 

The work does not end there, as District administration will continue to assess areas of improvement throughout the summer and beyond, ensuring that our school environment supports the success and well-being of all students. 

 

By now, all families should have received notifications regarding the school of attendance for students during the 2024-25 school year. If you have not received enrollment information, please contact the District’s Student Services Department at 626-962-3311. 

 

As we conclude the 2023-2024 school year, we want to acknowledge the legacy and impact that both Central and Margaret Heath elementary schools had on the Baldwin Park community. The District honored Central and Heath with celebrations that included a school-wide barbecue, a ceremony that included alumni and cherished guests, and activities that highlighted their lasting contributions to our community.  

 

On behalf of the Board of Education, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our families, students, and staff for their resilience and support during this transition. To our staff, your leadership and dedication have been invaluable, especially during this period of change. To our families, your trust and support have been monumental. Your continued partnership is appreciated, as we continue to build a stronger school community where every student can thrive.  

 

Thank you for your support. 

 

 

Sincerely, 

 

Froilan N. Mendoza 

Froilan N. Mendoza, Ed.D. 

Superintendent of Schools 

October 11, 2023

 

Dear Baldwin Park Unified Community,

 

During a Board Meeting held on October 10, 2023, the Board of Education took action to approve the closure of Central and Margaret Heath Elementary Schools at the conclusion of the 2023-24 school year.

 

This is an exceptionally difficult situation and we understand that our communities will need time to adjust to the change. The District is already working with the Central and Margaret Heath communities to ensure a smooth transition.

 

For the 2024-25 school year, families will have the option to enroll students at neighboring schools. BPUSD will also offer open enrollment for families who are interested in enrolling their elementary school students at other Baldwin Park Unified campuses. The closure of schools is a last resort in achieving programmatic and fiscal stability for our District, but it is sometimes a necessary step to ensure we can continue to provide the high-quality resources and programs that our students deserve. 

 

Families at each school will receive notifications of upcoming parent meetings and individual letters regarding the school of attendance for students for the 2024-25 school year as well as the process for open enrollment. Please look for regular updates via the school and District websites, ParentSquare, and our social media platforms.

 

On behalf of the Board of Education, we would like to thank our families, students, and staff for their understanding as we continue to maintain and develop viable and strong programs in the Baldwin Park Unified School District.

 

Sincerely,

Froilan N. Mendoza

Froilan N. Mendoza, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

 

10.06.23

 

Dear Baldwin Park Unified families,

 

Baldwin Park Unified School District understands there are many questions and comments regarding school closure discussions. To find the latest information, please visit the following link to the District website containing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and topics regarding school closure discussions. This site will be updated with the latest information as it becomes available.

 

To access FAQs regarding school closure discussions, please visit: https://www.bpusd.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=3526931&type=d&pREC_ID=2403021

 

To access more information regarding school closure discussions, please visit: https://www.bpusd.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=3526931&type=d&pREC_ID=2397219

 

To access presentations shared at this week’s school closure parent meetings, please visit: https://www.bpusd.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=3526931&type=d&pREC_ID=2425060

09.29.23

 

Dear Baldwin Park Unified Community,

 

During the Board of Education’s regular meeting on Sept. 26, the Superintendent’s Advisory Committee on School Closures (SACSC) presented recommendations for the District’s School Closures, Consolidation, and Revitalization Plan. The recommendation included the closures of Central and Margaret Heath elementary schools and the consolidation of the BP STEM Academy at the conclusion of the 2023-24 school year. The Board of Education will vote on this action item during its regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 10.

 

We understand the topic of school closures is difficult; however, to ensure that future generations of Baldwin Park Unified students have access to robust educational opportunities, it is necessary to adjust current facility operations and address school consolidation and reorganization.

 

The School Closures, Consolidation, and Revitalization Plan has been a primary focus of the District since the 2021-22 school year as we address continual organizational and financial challenges. The SACSC – formed by the District in the 2021-2022 school year – consists of parents of BPUSD students, alumni, teachers, staff, school administrators, and community representatives who are tasked with making the recommendations to the Board.

 

In May 2023, BPUSD shared an update from the SACSC regarding the committee’s recommendation to close and consolidate an additional three elementary school campuses and one middle school campus. Prior to this, multiple town halls were held to gather community feedback and input for the SACSC to consider in their decision-making process. For detailed information on the District’s enrollment numbers and school capacity data, please refer to our website.

 

The community is encouraged to attend all Board meetings to further partner with the District in supporting the best educational opportunities for Baldwin Park students. Please note that all final decisions made by the Board of Education and the District will be shared with the community directly from official BPUSD channels, including the District’s website, ParentSquare, Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

 

Thank you,

 

Dr. Froilan N. Mendoza

Superintendent of Schools

School Closures, Consolidation and Revitalization Plan Timeline

Baldwin Park Unified is committed to providing our students with the highest quality education through engaging curriculum and comprehensive academic programs, including the District’s award-winning Dual Language Program, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses, and robust visual and performing arts (VAPA) opportunities.

 

To ensure that future generations of Baldwin Park Unified students have access to these top-tier programs, it is imperative to adjust the current facility operations and address school reorganization. 

 

The Superintendent’s Advisory Committee on School Closures (SACSC), a committee comprised of BPUSD parents, staff and community leaders, is continuing to review and discuss their recommendation to close three additional elementary campuses and a middle school over the course of three to five years. 

 

Since 2015, the potential of school closures and consolidations has been a matter requiring serious discussion and consideration from the District’s Governing Board of Education. In the 2020-21 school year, BPUSD reconfigured its junior/middle schools and consolidated Santa Fe School and Holland Middle School to launch the BP STEM Academy.

 

At the conclusion of the 2021-22 school year, the District closed Elwin Elementary School. At the end of the 2022-23 school year, the District closed Pleasant View Elementary School. 

 

The SACSC will continue to meet to evaluate further school reorganization options. 

 

While closing a campus is difficult for all of us in the Baldwin Park Unified community, it is ultimately in the best interest of our students and will allow us to focus more resources on programs and support, helping our students to achieve their highest potential. The District will continue to share information regarding SACSC meetings, Board of Education meetings, parent surveys, and any further specifics regarding the reorganization of schools through ParentSquare and our social media sites.