San Diego Unified officials are re-evaluating their decision to eliminate middle school grades at a K-8 school following significant pushback from parents and the community.
Last week, the district’s plans were revealed, which included closing middle school grades at four K-8 schools: Golden Hill, Fulton, and Audubon next year, with Bethune set for closure the following year.
The district attributed these closures to low student performance and graduation rates among K-8 attendees and stated that students would be redirected to district middle schools that offer expanded educational opportunities.
The announcement caught many by surprise, including parents and staff members of the affected schools, who had not been consulted prior to the decision.
Particularly vocal has been the parent community at Bethune, who argued that their school provides superior support to its students compared to Bell Middle School, where students from Bethune would be transferred.
Superintendent Fabiola Bagula has indicated a willingness to reconsider the Bethune closure after an outpouring of concern from parents.
In response to the sudden proposal, parents from Bethune have become increasingly active, sharing their experiences on local news outlets, sending letters to school board members, and organizing to attend school board meetings with a significant presence.
Nadine Trassare, a parent with two children at Bethune and a former student herself, voiced her disappointment at the lack of communication and consideration in the decision-making process.
“I have issues with the lack of input, lack of communication, lack of consideration,” Trassare said, emphasizing that the changes were not made with community impacts in mind.
Concerns regarding the safety and quality of education at Bell Middle School are at the forefront of parents’ minds.
Evidence suggests that students at Bell have not performed as well as those at Bethune, with Bell’s suspension rates reported to be nearly three times the district average.
Trassare expressed a willingness to enroll her children in the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, a magnet school, instead of Bell should Bethune close.
Deedee Doungmala, another parent whose children have all attended Bethune, echoed similar concerns about the negative reputation surrounding Bell.
“I’ve heard a lot about Bell, which wasn’t a lot of nice things,” Doungmala said, reflecting on the strong bond her family has with Bethune and their uncertainty about transitioning to a new school.
In discussions about the proposed closures with Superintendent Bagula, questions arose regarding whether the changes were intended to boost enrollment at Bell Middle, which has seen a 23% decline in student numbers over the last decade—almost double the decline of the district overall.
Bagula denied that the closures were meant to reinforce enrollment at Bell Middle School, stating that the primary reasons for closing K-8 middle school programs stemmed from disappointing student performance and graduation rates.
The issue first came to Bagula’s attention a few years ago when the principals of Audubon, Fulton, and Golden Hill expressed concerns about their middle school programs.
While the initial plan included closing all four K-8 schools, Bagula has since acknowledged that Bethune should not necessarily be included in the proposed closures owing to its comparatively higher performance metrics.
In a letter sent to parents, area superintendent Steven Dorsey insisted that Bethune’s middle school grades would cease after the 2026-27 school year, albeit his message suggested firm commitment to the closures.
Dorsey claimed that the move would benefit students by providing them with access to a broader range of programs and courses currently unavailable at smaller K-8 schools.
Despite this, Superintendent Bagula expressed hesitance about proceeding with the closure of Bethune and plans to engage in community meetings before making a final decision.
Initially, Bagula felt confident about closing Bethune because the data from the school’s performance appeared less favorable compared to other K-8 schools slated for closure.
However, discussions with district officials led to the realization that if Audubon and Fulton were closed, Bethune’s closure would follow suit to avoid undermining Bell’s renewed capacity.
Bagula’s public statements suggest that she is now more mindful of the unique strengths at Bethune and might reconsider the previously decided cuts.
“I want to make data-based decisions. When I looked at Bethune’s data, that’s the one that I was like, ‘Maybe not,’” Bagula remarked during a recent interview.
Trustee Sharon Whitehurst-Payne echoed similar sentiments, aligning with parents’ concerns about Bethune’s closure and acknowledging the program’s strengths relative to other schools.
Whitehurst-Payne also noted that the district should have proactively involved the community in these critical discussions to foster understanding and support.
Bagula recognizes the emotional weight of this issue, reiterating that such decisions can often feel like a loss for families.
She emphasized that Bell has undergone considerable transformation and now offers a variety of programs, including language pathways, a wellness center, and visual and performing arts, as well as being a certified community school.
“I hope that they see that the options that we’re giving them are actually good ones for their children, that that’s what we’re trying to do, not trying to remove something from the community, but actually trying to add value,” she said, inviting families to reconsider their perspectives on Bell Middle School.
The future of Bethune’s middle grades remains uncertain, but it is clear that community involvement will play a crucial role in shaping the final decisions ahead.
image source from：voiceofsandiego
