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Below are the answers to the Bret Harte Elementary specific questions asked at the February 4th Community Forum. Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions page for our universal list of question and answers. 

Where are guidelines for re-purposing the site because the land was donated by the Smith family?

Once the Board takes action on February 21, a 7-11 Committee (a committee with either seven or 11 members) will be formed to research, investigate and recommend re-use and re-purposing options for the sites to be closed next fall. Our legal services is examining issues surrounding SCUSD’s acquisition of the land as well.

How many school-age children will live in the new Curtis Park Village development?

Curtis Park Village is a mixed use city infill project approved for 72 acres formerly owned by Union Pacific Railroad adjacent to Â鶹ÊÓƵ City College. When built out to capacity in the future, Curtis Park Village will include a shopping center, park and homes. The developer expects to see the first buildings – the shopping center – begin to take shape this summer. The remainder of the project will be built out over the next 12 years. There is sufficient capacity in SCUSD elementary schools — even with the closure of Bret Harte — to accommodate the children who will eventually live in Curtis Park Village.

Will SCUSD open or allow a charter school on the Bret Harte site?

There are no plans currently to open a charter school at Bret Harte. Once the Board takes action on February 21, a 7-11 Committee (a committee with either seven or 11 members) will be formed to research, investigate and recommend re-use and re-purposing options for the sites to be closed next fall.

What is the exact amount of operating deficit for Bret Harte?

The district’s annual operating deficit for Bret Harte $101,446. 

How much money would it take to keep Bret Harte open?

Closing Bret Harte will save the district about $225,000 a year for every year that it remains closed.