I am advocating against the closure and/or proposed âredesignâ and ârepurposingâ of the River School campus. I am a parent of a 7th grader and am saddened to think that future Napa families would be left without this amazing public school of choice.
I understand the financial gains that closing a middle school may provide to the district, which is predicting declining enrollment for the next several years. I understand how important it is to keep cash reserves above the 3% minimum requirement to avoid state interference in district operations. I also understand the value of engaging in an open and transparent process with the community to explore difficult cost savings opportunities.
Earlier this year, I was invited to be a member of the NVUSD Middle School Redesign Task Force. I was happy to serve. In addition to serving on the task force as a Pueblo Vista parent, I have also worked in public higher education for more than 20 years, so I have a vested interest in ensuring that our P-12 and higher education systems are working together to prepare students to achieve the credentials and degrees that our economy and society will need in the coming decades.
I knew some of the history that led to the task force â that the district made and then walked back a decision to close Harvest Middle School in October of 2020. I was hopeful that the task force process would support a full and open discussion of a variety of possibilities. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be.
This is a copy of the letter that was sent to the NVUSD Board on April 6.
As a pediatric optometrist serving the children in Napa Valley for the past 15 years, I would like to give my input to the Middle School Redesign Task Force. I have visited and supported many NVUSD schools as part of an IEP/504 team, school events, and fundraisers.
One of the best parts of my job is getting to see these Napa Valley children grow over the years and become independent adults in the working world. I have seen the success of NVUSDâs variety of curriculums to accommodate for the diverse learning styles of children such as: the dual immersion program at Napa Valley Language Academy continued through Harvest Middle School and Napa High School, Salvador to the now combined Willow Elementary, River Middle School, Stonebridge School and New Tech High School. These valuable school programs must be maintained, strengthened and expanded to continue the success of NVUSD.
It is essential that we save River Middle Schoolâs unique program. NVUSD wants a balanced budget in order to maintain financial solvency, which is absolutely necessary. However, implementing budget cuts alone, without regard for actual âprogram excellenceâ (a stated goal for the Middle School Redesign Task Force) does not improve the health of the district or our community in the long term.
Riverâs 26-year-old program is an exceptional middle school that should be preserved, whether on the current campus or elsewhere. Dissolving our program is not a necessary step for the districtâs financial solvency; River provides a valuable alternative to the traditional middle school experience. NVUSD is on a path of eliminating educational choice, which will causes families to leave NVUSD. Not every kid thrives in a one-size-fits-all model.