Seen In Natomas: Natomas Kids Rock It!

VIDEO COURTESY TARA HANSON

Natomas Park Elementary School students practice for school talent show.
Send your "Seen In Natomas" photos (and videos to us at natomasbuzz@yahoo.com).

11:47 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Updated: Natomas School Board Switches Gears

The Natomas school board has agreed by consensus to delay a decision whether to close an elementary school in favor of a considering a new option.

Dr. General Davie and other school district officials presented the plan during a public workshop tonight for Natomas Unified School District board members.

As presented, the plan would not close any elementary schools and instead expand all elementary school sites to K-6 programs, close the under-performing Leroy F. Greene Middle School campus moving its 7th and 8th graders to Natomas Middle School, and make needed building repairs to the closed campus while deciding how best to use the site going forward.

Davie said his recommendation was driven by academics, adding it would afford some savings if implemented but not the same as an elementary school closure. In an effort to balance the district's budget, the board last year approved closing two elementary schools over a two-year period; it has an estimated $6 million more to cut.

School board members agreed to postpone any school closure decision until March 24. The delay will allow the school district time get input from the Leroy F. Greene community and fine tune how Davie's proposal would be put in place.

It remained unclear after tonight's meeting whether closing an elementary school would no longer be necessary with as much monies yet to be cut. Board member Kaplan, who earlier in the week championed a plan that would cut jobs in favor of keeping all schools open, missed the meeting due to a work commitment.

10:49 PM | 4 comments | Read More

Target Plans Expanded Format In Natomas

Target Corp. officials have confirmed with THE BUZZ plans to remodel their Natomas store.

The planned expansion, expected to get underway in a matter of weeks, will take place within the store's four walls. The store's square footage will remain unchanged.

The expanded food format will include fresh produce and prepackaged meat in an open market style. Company spokesman Kyle Thompson said expansion plans are in response to customer demand and the Natomas store will be one of 340 nationwide slated for some form of remodel.

Customers should soon see signage at the Natomas store announcing the plans and store officials expect there will be no disruption in business during the construction. Work is expected to be complete by June 2010.

5:19 PM | 3 comments | Read More

New Plan To NOT Close An Elementary School

When the Natomas Unified School District board of trustees meets tomorrow night a new alternative to closing an elementary school campus will be on the table for discussion.

Interim superintendent Dr. General Davie today announced he will present board members with a plan that would avert elementary school closures by instead closing Leroy F. Greene Middle School. The proposal shifts 6th graders to existing K-5 schools and relocates 7th and 8th graders to Natomas Middle School.

The middle school campus would remain closed while it undergoes much-need repair work. During that time, Davie told THE BUZZ, officials would have time to explore how best to use the campus going forward that would help keep more students in district schools. One option would be to reopen as a smaller high school, he said.

In an interview with THE BUZZ, Davie said feedback from the community played a large part in looking at options other than closing an elementary school. The decision to close one school this year and a second next year was made in an effort to balance the district's budget.

A Special Board Workshop is set for 6 p.m. tomorrow the Natomas High School in the theater. Pending direction from the Board Workshop, action is set on these issues for 6:30 p.m. on March 10.

1:46 PM | 13 comments | Read More

Correction: Make That Red LOBSTER

THE BUZZ has been informed the consultant working with city officials on the Center Court site represents Red Lobster, not Red Robin as previously reported. Both our source and THE BUZZ regret the error.

2:43 PM | 20 comments | Read More

Can Natomas Schools Be Saved From Closure?

Area parents began rallying over the weekend behind a plan meant to keep a school from closing this year in the Natomas Unified School District.

Whether staff and utility cuts part of the alternative plan are savings that can avert a school closure remains to be seen in a district where $6 million still must be trimmed. District officials warned the decision may not be between closing a school or staff reductions, but instead on implementing both.

"I certainly wouldn't encourage people to believe that this will necessarily avoid closing a school," said NUSD board president B. Teri Burns. "These could be additional cuts we make just to make our budget."

Natomas school district trustees in June 2009 voted to close one school this year and a second in 2011-12, saving an estimated $400,000 per school per year for three years. The district has since undergone a lengthy public process to identify which schools it will consider closing; a decision is set for March.

"Are there other solutions?" school district trustee Bruce Roberts said. "All the decisions we are being forced to make are hurting kids." 

Parents from a handful of Natomas schools attended an invitation-only meeting Saturday where the proposed money-saving plan now making the rounds was presented by school board member Lisa Kaplan. The proposal calls for cuts to school secretary, custodial and playground assistant jobs in addition to adjusting thermostats district wide for utility savings.

"I firmly believe closing a school will cost Natomas money, not save Natomas money," said Kaplan. "I don't think it's a viable option to close a school."

According to the Save Natomas Kids website created over the weekend by parents, and e-mails now being circulated in the community, this alternative plan would save the school district $398,000. The goal: to eliminate - or at least postpone - the need to close a school this year.

Natomas parent Ted Link-Oberstar, who authored the proposal, said it will not solve the district's fiscal problems.

"But what I believe that it does do is enable to the board to proceed with implementing the savings that they already booked, while taking a step back from the school closure discussion to reconsider whether it actually does make sense," Link-Oberstar wrote THE BUZZ.

Both Burns and Roberts agreed that without additional money coming into the Natomas district, closing schools and several other budget cuts remain on the table. Board members are scheduled to discuss the topic of school closure 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Natomas High School theater.

1:21 PM | 6 comments | Read More

New Restaurant To Replace Center Court?

Sources tell THE BUZZ the Red Robin chain has made inquiries about the site once occupied by Center Court.

The original idea was to level the now-empty structure on North Freeway and build a new restaurant on the same location. But the building moratorium put a kibosh on that plan.

Our sources tell us the popular burger chain is now looking at whether they can use the building as it currently stands.

Stay tuned.

12:07 AM | 9 comments | Read More