Moreland, like other districts in the Bay Area, is losing its per-child funding from the state as families leave the area or the public schools, said Les Adelson, the district's superintendent.

Moreland elementary and middle school district once had 19 schools over the years, but it has been forced to close 11 due to declining enrollment. The district now has six elementary and two middle schools.

Adelson said state funding typically allows districts a year to accommodate the revenue loss. However, the recent approval of Discovery Charter School by the Santa Clara County Board of Education has sped up the process. The money for Moreland students who attend the charter school will be applied toward Discovery School on July 1.

"That's why we're finding the urgency," Adelson said. "We did not anticipate the charter."

The district estimates losing nearly 70 students, in addition to 200-250 students who will attend the charter. The loss leaves Moreland more than $1.5 million in the red.

The district's facilities committee proposed on March 7 that the Moreland board of trustees close two or three schools. The committee envisions four kindergarten through sixth-grade schools, one K-8 school and one middle school.

However, the decision-making process will be difficult.

The district has planned two public meetings. One took place on March 16; the second is planned for March 22.

At the first public meeting, hundreds of parents gathered in the Rogers Middle School cafeteria. Many said they had too little information and that the closure process was moving too quickly. Adelson told parents school budgets are largely based on estimated numbers, and that any delay in the decision would not give the district sufficient time to prepare the campuses for changes before the 2006-07 school year.

The parents broke into groups and filled out questionnaires ranking "viable" options, such as whether to create a K-8 school.

Parents also ranked which programs they would like to see in the schools, including Gifted and Talented Education, foreign language classes and a zero period for a music program. If the schools can afford the programs, they could help Moreland retain its high standards as the schools get larger, Adelson said.

Adelson told the parents he would consider the community input when drafting his recommendation. His report will also suggest which schools to close. Adelson will make his recommendations to the board on March 28. The board will decide about school closures at it April 3 meeting.

Several parents offered harsh critiques, some questioning whether Moreland would be able to survive. Another parent said the district was so poorly run that any family with a choice, such as private school, would not send their child to a Moreland school.

But other parents wanted to know how to make the situation better--whether the district was trying to attract students and funding. One parent asked how she could help change legislation that bars the district from dipping into its $19.2 million facilities fund, which can only be used for capital improvements. The money, she said, could help save the district from the crisis.

And yet another parent questioned whether the district could make amends with the charter founders, who are Moreland parents. In 2003, Moreland combined neighborhood school Easterbrook with parent-participation school Discovery. Parents who were dissatisfied with the merger formed a parent participation K-8 school, Discovery Charter School. The Santa Clara County Board of Education approved the charter in February.

"The kids are my first priority, as I know they're yours," said Adelson, who is retiring this year. "I know it's difficult for adults to go through this process."

The next community meeting takes place on March 22, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Castro Middle School, 4600 Student Lane, San Jose. The superintendent will make recommendations on school closures on March 28, at 6:30 p.m., at Castro Middle School. The board will make a decision on April 3.

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