Thursday, October 1, 2026
The possible closure of East Elementary School has continuously sparked significant concern and activism among residents. A petition opposing the move, created on Jan. 14, garnered over 3,400 signatures in less than a week. No decision on the school has been officially made.
“The outpouring of support of the community has been overwhelming,” East School parent Kristin McChesney said. “At the board meeting (Jan. 14), a neighbor with grown children said this school is a jewel in this city. People that have lived in this community for generations are tired of seeing historically important pieces of the community discarded.”
Supporters emphasize that East Elementary is more than just a school; it is a hub for local families, a historic part of the city and a resource for neighborhood stability. Many petition signers have expressed frustration with the district’s handling of the issue, particularly comments dismissing their concerns as ‘uninformed.’ Organizers point out that the petition has drawn far more engagement than a district survey conducted last year, which received fewer than 900 responses and showed neutral or supportive opinions about keeping the school open.
East School is regarded as a key part of the community, providing accessible education and creating connections among families. Many residents have chosen to live near the school specifically for its walkable access, viewing it as a stabilizing presence in one of Long Beach’s most densely populated neighborhoods. Many argue that closing a school should be a last resort and suggest that the district has yet to provide clear evidence that the financial benefits of the closure would outweigh the costs.
Community members argue that a more thorough analysis is needed, including a detailed assessment of fixed and variable costs, according to McChesney. They also point to the absence of a finalized rental agreement for the building, which raises questions about the financial viability of the closure. Without guarantees of revenue or specifics on how any savings would impact taxpayers, many feel the decision lacks a solid foundation.
Further fueling frustration is the district’s decision not to conduct an impact study to evaluate the financial, environmental and logistical effects of the closure.
“We don’t know how our children will be split up, and whether they will lose their social connections,” McChesney said. “We are also not convinced there are classrooms available in every building to absorb 300 children. We can’t verify this because we have not been shown reconfiguration plans, and the district has not answered many of the questions asked by staff and teachers regarding placement.”
The potential closure also raises questions about Long Beach’s future to parents. They warn that larger class sizes and reduced access to resources could negatively affect the quality of education, while the loss of a neighborhood school might weaken community ties and make the city less appealing to young families. Advocates have proposed alternative solutions, such as transforming East Elementary into a community school that could partner with local organizations to provide additional services, enhancing its role as a neighborhood hub.
As the school board prepares to discuss the future of East School and related concerns at its Jan. 27 meeting, community members are calling for a more inclusive and transparent decision-making process. They hope the board will acknowledge the strong opposition to the closure and work collaboratively with residents to find a sustainable solution that prioritizes both educational quality and fiscal responsibility.
