The Long Beach Board of Education reached a critical decision Monday night, voting to keep East Elementary School open as an elementary school after over a year of deliberation and community debate.
The decision not to repurpose East Elementary was made after extensive deliberation by the board. While community advocacy played a visible role in the discussions, board members emphasized that their decisions were based on thorough research and careful consideration of various factors.
"I do appreciate the administration putting together plans and giving us the opportunity to take the time," Board Vice President Alexis Pace said. That's what we did. That's what the community asked us to do, to take time and to think it through. So ultimately, if schools stay open, but I really, I really hope and pray that we can rebuild some sort of culture and some sort of mutual respect and collaboration."
The potential repurposing of East Elementary was initially discussed as part of broader efforts to address the district's financial challenges. However, the anticipated cuts to state foundation aid, which had prompted the need to explore consolidation options, did not occur. Instead, the district received additional resources, which alleviated some financial pressures. Despite this, the board continued to weigh the long-term fiscal and educational implications of maintaining the school.
Throughout the process, the district undertook significant steps to inform its decision. This included demographic studies, consultations with advisory committees and the consideration of potential impacts on students, staff and the wider community.
The board members expressed varying perspectives during the meeting. The majority ultimately supported keeping East Elementary open, citing its importance to the community and the lack of a clear, viable plan for repurposing the facility. One board member, Dennis Ryan, opposed the decision, citing concerns about the financial sustainability of maintaining the nearly century-old building and the potential benefits of consolidation for educational and fiscal efficiency. Ryan argued that repurposing the school would have better served the district's long-term interests.
Other board members, however, felt that the community's needs and the absence of immediate financial necessity outweighed the potential advantages of repurposing.