By The Los Altos School District's decision last week not to open a seventh elementary school was a decision that had to be made.

Burdened by a ballooning state budget deficit and rising costs, the district’s board of trustees began a process last week that will result in the closure of a currently operating school. With no turning back on the district’s facilities renovation program, that school will be one where construction work has not yet begun.

There will be a lengthy period for study and public input, with a decision not coming before voters decide on another attempt at a district parcel tax increase. The board last week also decided to ask for a $333 increase to $597 annually, the same as the April measure that voters narrowly defeated.

But even if the parcel tax increase passes this time around, the funding will not be enough to support seven elementary schools. In addition, a recent poll among parents in the wake of the April parcel tax defeat, cited smaller classes were more important than small schools.

This is a turnaround from 1997, when the district responded to parents’ desires for smaller schools by embarking on a plan for renovating and reopening Covington as a seventh K-6 school. The $95 million bond measure passed the following year was meant to renovate and rebuild at seven elementary and two intermediate school sites.

However, both the hyper-growth then sharp decline of the economy served to undermine the school district. First the tremendous growth of 1999 and 2000 shot construction prices through the roof, forcing the district to scale back plans. Then the crashing marketplace and energy crisis in 2001 created the budget setbacks we face today.

District officials found the poll validating because respondents did look upon the school district positively and noted they would support a $333 increase in the bond measure - but not much more than that.

“What can we afford for $333? Six (elementary) schools,” Superintendent Marge Gratiot said.

Though the school board faces the agonizing task of closing down an existing school, last week’s action is completely justified. Additional money from the state is not coming any time soon, especially since the district’s revenue limit standing makes it one of the worst funded in the county without the parcel tax.

On the other hand, the district cannot afford to continually go back to the community for another parcel tax increase. And paying for the core educational programs is a higher priority than the high costs of maintaining a K-6 school facility with support staffs, utilities and maintenance. Operating six elementary schools will allow the district to live within its means.