It was another late night at Lagunitas School last week after teachers, parents and administrators continued the discussion about a potential merger between the Montessori and Open Classroom programs—an idea that now has support from most district teachers. Last month, Montessori parents crafted a letter to Open Classroom parents and teachers, saying they were not interested in an outright merger but expressing interest in working together to craft a new program. The Open Classroom’s response, formulated during last Monday’s meeting, was straightforward: “The Open Classroom Community remains committed to our current program, philosophy and pillars. We are not interested in creating a new school.” The letter welcomed Montessori families to an open house so they could learn about the program and see it in action. “We continue to have open arms and doors to anyone who wishes to join us as we are,” the group wrote. Open houses were initially planned, but were later scrapped in favor of a districtwide parent meeting on the merger question on March 22. Both the school board and district superintendent Laura Shain have expressed the need for the process to be led by parents. Ms. Shain will make a recommendation to the board based on the outcome of the parent meeting, she said. “My role as the superintendent is to immerse myself in the community and have a districtwide viewpoint,” Ms. Shain said. “I’ll make a recommendation based on that.” Two longtime Open Classroom teachers came out of retirement this fall on one-year contracts to reinvigorate the program, but the administration has not decided whether to renew the contracts. Now, with two of three Montessori teachers leaving at the end of the school year, many teachers are hoping to combine the two programs’ resources. Parents in both programs have voiced concern over the level of influence they have over the fate of the district. Breeze Kinsey, an Open parent and a board liaison, said people were unclear about what was expected from the upcoming meeting. “We’re all feeling as parents that that’s a lot to put on our plate as we raise our families and go on with our lives,” he said. Ahead of a school board meeting last Thursday, seven teachers signed a letter to the board, citing parent concerns over growing divisions between the programs and supporting a merger. “This school we envision welcomes all students and families, it includes the pillars and traditions of Open Classroom and the values and teachings of the Montessori program,” they wrote. “We are staffing for a school of the past, we are asking you to step back from your personal beliefs and biases and focus on the future. Staff for the numbers we have and allow that reduction to make funds available for increased staff compensation and student enrichment.” Board member Steve Rebscher told the Light that a decision will be made early enough to accommodate important hiring decisions whichever way things go. If the programs were to combine, the district would only need to hire one or two teachers; if the programs are kept separate, the district would hire two or three teachers. Finding good teachers is a major challenge, he said, especially after many teachers retired during the pandemic.