The district proposed the elementary school relocation after the board voted to close Randol and Steinbeck, along with Cory Elementary School, to help balance a projected $9 to $11 million shortfall for the 2005­06 school year.

In recommending Randol for closure, the district initially proposed transferring students who live within Randol's attendance boundaries to Allen. However Superintendent Don Iglesias said there was a concern that Allen's facilities couldn't accommodate a combined 740 students. Steinbeck, however, was built for 1,200 students, Iglesias added.

At a March 10 board meeting Ty Williams, the district's director of school construction, said it would cost about $12.7 million to enhance Allen's campus for the influx of Randol students, which would include building new classrooms, adding portables and expanding the school's administrative facilities. This compares to an estimated $2.7 million in costs to improvement Steinbeck facilities, Williams added.

Several Allen parents spoke against moving their children to Steinbeck, but in the end the board unanimously approved the relocation plan.

"The purpose of this whole exercise is to save money," said board member Leslie Reynolds. "That's the cold, harsh reality."

The district says it is pursuing school closures in the wake of declining enrollment, which has led to a decrease in state funding. By closing Randol and Cory elementary schools and Steinbeck Middle School, district administrators expect to save an about $1.9 million per year. Last year the district closed three elementary schools for a savings of $1.5 million per year.

The district is still anticipating a $40.9 million cumulative budget gap over the next four years.

According to assistant superintendent Rosa Molina, one advantage the Allen site did had over Steinbeck was that it could have more easily accommodated students from Randol's special day classes. Parents of special-needs students at Randol, such as Willow Glen residents Darlene D'Amico-Sorci and Diane Seadler, had expressed concern that their children's special education program be relocated.

While Molina said the program would likely be moved to Steinbeck, she added that the district is considering establishing a special day class at Simonds Elementary School next fall in case facilities at the new campus are inadequate.

Parents who spoke at last week's board meeting asked that the new elementary school at the old Steinbeck campus bear the Allen name. Iglesias said the naming of the school would be discussed during the transition.

Pam Foley, who represents Willow Glen on the board, said that since Allen is being relocated rather than closed, she'd favor keeping the name.