The idea of filling three elementary schools with pre-K through second grade and having Lindell take on third through fifth grades and the administration offices was also floated. The last option was to keep everything as is. The middle and high school would remain unchanged in all but one of these scenarios.

After the presentation, most residents criticized the choices, saying that they wanted more details, and that to make decisions without knowing the potential impact on class size or finances was irresponsible.

Some parents said they were not convinced that the downward enrollment trend would continue. Though Weiss emphasized that the enrollment numbers have been down over a decade, some attendees said they think Long Beach’s population is expected to rise again, at which point the district would have to shift schools all over again to accommodate increased enrollment.

Some complained about having their children switch schools so many times. Breaking up elementary school into two levels would create an extra school change for young students, and in one of the scenarios, some young students would change schools twice: pre-K at Lido, kindergarten to second grade at West, and third to fifth grade at East. Many parent said they believed the consolidation plans would increase class sizes and prove detrimental to their kids’ education.

“If we want our children to be successful with all of the demands on them, we need them to be in the best environment,” said one audience member. “Moving kids around after the transition they had to endure last year in the storm, in my opinion, is not effective. These children need a sense of community, they need some stability, they need to feel safe. They do not need to be moved from here to there.”