Citrus dodges squashing

Plans to repurpose Citrus Elementary School were waylaid Wednesday, March 5, when the Chico Unified School District Board of Trustees voted 3-2 to keep the elementary school at Citrus and West Fourth avenues open.

Discussion about Citrus School’s future came up as the district was developing a 20-year master plan outlining the use of the $78 million Measure E funding earmarked for improved facilities. The draft plan called for closure of Loma Vista School—the CUSD’s special-education school—which would have necessitated special-education preschool services move to the Citrus campus.

Trustee Liz Griffin moved to expand Loma Vista’s facilities rather than close it, and the move was approved after about three hours of discussion.