San Diego Unified Superintendent Walks Back One of Four K-8 Middle School Closures
Following notable parent outcry, San Diego Unified school district Superintendent Lamont Jackson announced the reversal of plans to close the middle school grades at Golden Hill K-8. The decision, made public after initial plans were leaked, initially proposed eliminating middle school programs at Golden Hill, as well as Dana, Farb, and Walker K-8 schools.
The original plan stemmed from a district effort to consolidate middle school enrollment, directing students from these K-8 schools to complete middle schools like Roosevelt Middle, which serves approximately 800 students and offers advanced courses allowing students to earn high school credit. Families were offered priority enrollment to other district schools as an alternative.
However, the rollout of the plan sparked intense opposition from Golden Hill parents, who voiced concerns about larger class sizes at Roosevelt compared to their smaller K-8 setting. Many had specifically chosen Golden Hill for its intimate surroundings. A parent at a community meeting expressed frustration, stating they learned of the closure via TikTok and felt excluded from the decision-making process.
District officials, including Area Superintendent Mitzi merino, acknowledged the flawed communication, attributing the issue to premature media leaks that disrupted planned notifications. Despite this description,parents like Yesica Rodriguez felt the district was being “disingenuous” and “insulting” with their explanations. Rodriguez questioned the timing of potential announcements had the facts not been leaked,noting the impending deadline for school choice decisions.
A key concern raised by Rodriguez and other parents was the disproportionate impact on low-income communities. All four schools initially targeted for closure serve predominantly low-income student populations, while K-8 schools in wealthier areas were slated to remain open.
Rodriguez also expressed disappointment with the portrayal of Golden Hill during the community meeting, stating she felt the school’s value and tight-knit community – where students often knew each other since preschool – were diminished in the effort to promote Roosevelt middle. She specifically noted her dismay at hearing the school principal seemingly speak negatively about Golden Hill to advocate for the change.
The reversal regarding Golden Hill’s middle school represents a significant shift in the district’s initial plan, tho the future of the middle school programs at Dana, Farb, and Walker remains uncertain.
