Long Beach School Board Votes To Close Lakewood K-8 School

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA.com) — The Long Beach Unified School Board voted Tuesday to close a Lakewood elementary school in January.

James Monroe K-8 school, located at 4400 Ladoga Avenue in Lakewood, will shutter its doors next month after the board unanimously voted the follow through with a staff recommendation.

The board also voted Wednesday to eliminate sixth through eighth grades at David Burcham K-8 School at 1515 Hughes Way.

"This is something we do not want to do and unfortunately we have to," Superintendent Christopher Steinhauser said.

Board members cite reduced enrollment and a $20 million deficit, despite the passage of Prop 30.

"Since Prop 30 passed we should have plenty. All Prop 30 did was prevent us from getting cut another $30 million. We still have to cut $20 million this year," board member John McGinnais said.

Both closures will save the LBUSD about $3.5 million, district officials said.

Students from both schools will have the option to attended other nearby schools within the district.

The board says closing the James Monroe campus will actually save jobs because the teachers will be transferred to other schools within the district.