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Published on 05/18/1998 All articles from this issue

Owner cites no current plans to sell Montecito school, despite parent concerns

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By Susan Kerr

Special to the Town Crier

The owner of Montecito preschool in Los Altos addressed parents' concerns over possible closing of the school by promising that the school will remain open, whether or not she decides to sell it.

Owner and founder Molly Matthews said two weeks ago there were no current plans to sell the 36-year-old preschool. However, she added that she can make no promises when or if she will sell in the future.

Matthews' response to these concerns came soon after the school's director, a 20-year employee, abruptly departed and a number of its teaching staff resigned. These actions come in the wake of a recently-formed parent-teacher movement to buy out the school following news that Matthews was thinking of selling the nearly one-acre, Grant Road site to a housing developer.

"Parents are still trying to present something to Molly," said Mark Plungy, whose daughter attends Montecito. "I understand the initial financial backing is there."

Yet, Plungy added, there is still a lot of uncertainty about the situation. "We're at a stop sign on the road. We need to understand from (Matthews) what she wants to do," he said.

Matthews has indicated that she will keep the school open for the next two years, Plungy said. That assurance may not be enough, however, for parents with children in their first year at the school or those who had planned to enroll younger siblings at a later date.

"Parents are understandably very concerned about the direction of the school," said Mark Box, who has been spearheading the parent-teacher group.

Matthews informed staff members in early April that she was considering selling, said several insiders. Jo Cook, the former Montecito director, then distributed a letter to parents asking if there was interest in saving the school. More than 200 people showed up at an April 28 meeting to discuss options.

According to several sources, Cook then received a letter from Matthews' lawyer, which prompted her resignation. Neither Cook nor Bill Priest, Matthews' lawyer, responded to requests for comment.

Matthews is currently acting as director and a search is under way for a new director. In a written statement, she claimed that the school is fully staffed for now, but acknowledged that some staff has resigned for the next school year.

Paul Shay, a 10-year Montecito staff member, said that out of 35 teachers and assistants, more than half have resigned. While he has not himself resigned, he is looking at his options. "I will not work under these conditions," Shay said.

The parent-teacher group still believes that forming a nonprofit organization is a viable solution. Box has sent Matthews a letter outlining three offers the group could make for the current property, ranging from an all-cash transaction to a charitable remainder trust. "The response is that the property is not for sale right now and they want to wait until things calm down," Box said.

The group plans to have a second meeting, possibly this week, to review its options. While many involved say that Montecito, known for its large oak and pine trees, wouldn't be the same on a different site, Box said that the uncertainty over the long-term picture may create more impetus for finding a new property and opening up a new school.

"The agenda is to find what people want," Box said. "People want to save Montecito but whether they want to get into the preschool business is another question."

Still, Shay said he hopes that the school can be set up for perpetuity. "If we really want to make this the best place on earth, it's got to be the best place for kids, too," he said.