OC Register Article - Commitment and Twitter save preschool

Commitment and Twitter save preschool

Parents rally at HOA board meeting and convince board to let the Lakeview Learning Center live.

By ERIKA I. RITCHIE

The Orange County Register

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LAKE FOREST – The commitment and passion of parents and teachers of one of South County's oldest preschools convinced a local homeowners association board to let the school live.

On Wednesday night, the five-member Lake I Homeowners Association Board voted to allow the Lakeview Learning Center to stay open despite earlier plans to shutter the nationally accredited, private preschool.

"The preschool faces many challenges in the coming weeks and months, but the board was swayed by the outpouring of public support and the commitment of our homeowners to solving the problems confronting us," said Jim Gardner, board president. "People are our most important asset. Our members promised to work hard and help solve the many problems confronting us. We had to listen to them and give them the chance."

The parents agreed to form a parent committee to develop a long-term plan that protects the viability of the preschool. The committee will coordinate fundraising activities to eliminate the financial impact of the school on the association in 2009 and 2010. They will support the LFCA staff in their efforts to manage the preschool and they will submit a long-term business plan for review and approval by the board in their January 2010 meeting.

"It was amazing," said Pete Deutschman, a parent who launched a massive online Twitter and blog campaign last week. "It was like a scene out of a movie. It was standing room only. I was really proud of the parents. Everyone took the high road and spoke from the heart. Everyone from the board listened and realized how important the preschool is to the community."

Deutschman first learned of the school's planned closure last week when his daughter, Chloe, 3, brought home a letter saying the school would be close on Aug. 28.

Within 24 hours Deutschman launched an online campaign spreading the word to other educators, community members and South County residents. The parents also held a rally Tuesday night raising awareness along Ridge Route and Muirlands Boulevard.

The board notified the preschool director of the closure on Aug. 7 but parents only received letters with refunds last week. The association sent a second letter to parents and school staff on Monday citing reasons for the closure. They included lack of use, financial loss, a building that needs repair and insurance risk, which threatens the renewal of the HOA's entire policy.

"I actually thanked the board for closing the preschool," said Deutschman. "They have put a spotlight on this little gem. The teachers have never felt so appreciated."

The preschool, which also draws children from neighboring cities, is open to potty-trained children aged 3 -5. Information: 949-837-6100, ext. 134.

Contact the writer: 949-454-7307 or eritchie@ocregister.com

OC Register Article - Rally for preschool

Lake Forest parents, teachers, lobby to keep school open

The Lakeview Learning Center was told to close its doors.

BY ERIKA I. RITCHIE

The Orange County Register

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LAKE FOREST – Parents, teachers and students from one of the city's oldest preschools rallied passersby's and motorists on Tuesday night for support to keep the school open.

About 100 held signs and solicited honks along Ridge Route in front of Lake 1's homeowner association's Beach & Tennis Club.

The Lakeview Learning Center – in the Lake 1 community for 30 years – last week was told to close its doors by the community's homeowner association. The association sent a second letter to parents and school staff on Monday citing reasons for the closure. They include lack of use, financial loss, a building that needs repair and insurance risk, which threatens the renewal of the HOA's entire policy.

Parents and teachers say they were informed of the closure just about two weeks before school starts. Last week they went online to Twitter and blogging for help.

Tonight at the board meeting, parents will make their last ditch attempt to save the school.

"A lot of what they say in the letter is not true," said Cindy Cienfuegos, the preschool's director. "It has made money in some years. They never gave parents a chance to help out. Yes, the building is in need of repair but the parents would have helped with this."

Since being informed of the school's closure last week, Pete Deutschman, whose three-year-old daughter, Chloe, attends the school launched an online campaign. He also tweeted during Tuesday night's rally.

"If we didn't have these tools, we'd just be passing out fliers," he said. "We've had a tremendous outpouring of support. We've been able to provide a platform for everyone to speak out."

Deutschman is hopeful about the Wednesday board meeting.

"All we need is one person to reconsider" he said. "The parents will do whatever it takes."

Since this onslaught of support, the president of the board, Jim Gardner offered some of his personal advice.

"I would form my own corporation (non-profit or profit). I would hire my own staff (and this could be the existing staff) and secure my own insurance," he said. "I would secure the necessary permits and licenses. Then I would come to the board and offer to rent the space at a reasonable price. Such a proposal would meet, as far as I can tell, all the concerns outlined in the board statement."

Gardner added that while e-mails, blogs, and demonstrations might draw attention these things will not solve the problems.

"I hope tonight that we get people with sound ideas, rather than people who simply make sounds," he said.

For more information regarding this visit http://savelakeview.blogspot.com/. Twitter: @savemypreschool.

Contact the writer: 949-454-7307 or eritchie@ocregister.com

THE OC REGISTER SPREADS THE WORD

Twittering parents hope to save preschool
Lakeview Learning Center has operated at Lake I in Lake Forest for 15 years.
By ERIKA I. RITCHIE
The Orange County Register
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LAKE FOREST –– Parents trying to save a nationally ranked preschool have gone to Twitter and blogging to raise awareness.

In just 24 hours supporters of the Lakeview Learning Center –– a pre-school run by the Lake I Homeowner's Association –– has drummed up electronic support from teachers, parents, community members and other education professionals.

"If we didn't have these tools, we'd just be passing out fliers," said Pete Deutschman, whose daughter attends the school. "We've had a tremendous outpouring of support. I set up my Twitter account and it got active. I've received letters and posted them immediately. We've been able to provide a platform for everyone to speak out."

Deutschman found out the pre-school was set to close when his daughter, Chloe,3, came home with a letter two days ago,

"The letter said that the board was closing the pre-school after 15 years," said Deutschman, 34, "There was no real understanding of why. They gave us 12 days to say goodbye and find another school."

The Lake I HOA made the decision the previous week but informed the parents on Wednesday. Their reason for the proposed closure is loss of money and that the building needs repairs.

Since this onslaught of support, the president of the board, Jim Gardner said in a letter to an association member "If all these issues can be resolved the board may reconsider its position. But you have to remember the board has to consider the interest of the entire association, not the just the interest of a few."

Deutschman said he is hopeful that the board will open it up for conversation.

"I hope that we can open lines of communications around what has become a very urgent issue to many parents and members as a way of resolving and salvaging an amazingly valuable program to our community," said Deutschman.

On Tuesday parents, teachers and children will gather at the school, located at 22921 Ridge Route Dr in Lake Forest, for a friendly show of support for Lakeview Learning Center. Participants will meet in front of the Lake I clubhouse starting at 5 p.m.

For more information regarding this visit http ://savelakeview.blogspot.com/. Twitter: @savemypreschool

Contact the writer: 949-454-7307 or eritchie@ocregister.com