School size, not quality, declining

It would be nice if we had more kids in our school system, but it probably isn't in the cards, at least in the foreseeable future.

Declining enrollment is not a unique problem. Other school districts in California, particularly in affluent areas, are experiencing the same phenomenon.

Conejo Valley unified schools have about 500 fewer students than last year.

Las Virgenes enrollment is down about 130 students and Oak Park enrollment is off by almost 90 students.

When enrollment declines in public schools, so does revenue. No district can afford to keep schools open when classrooms are empty. The same principle applies to business: You expand when the numbers are favorable, and you contract when they aren't. What happened is the cost of home ownership in Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village and Oak Park went up faster than the average family with schoolage children could bear, and the school districts stopped growing. But like other aspects in life, things have a way of working themselves out. There will be a day when markets stabilize and the young families return.

One of the greatest attractions in our area is the strength of the local schools. It's been that way for years. With effective leadership, excellent teachers and strong parent involvement, the high quality of education will continue.

Until the dust clears, the school districts may have to retrench and become stronger through downsizing. There's nothing wrong with that because bigger isn't always better, and it's certainly true when it comes to public schools.

Conejo Valley Unified was forced to close two schools recently and Las Virgenes and Oak Park might have to take similar steps if the revenue problems continue. Meanwhile, Oak Park faces the task in November of convincing the public to approve a new school bond—despite a dwindling student body. The voters will be left to decide if the numbers add up.