As parents and educators process the cyclone of information from San Diego Unified School District about proposed school closures and consolidations, one organization is at the eye of the storm. The Point Loma Cluster Schools Foundation (PLCSF) responded to the district’s news by creating a 25-member ad hoc committee and has held three informational meetings with stakeholders. When school district officials meet with the community at Point Loma High School at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 24, PLCSF will have identified key concerns and issues. Matt Spathas, president of PLCSF, told an ad hoc committee the budget crisis is real. “We have a new normal, and that’s scary,” he said. “We need to be aware and understand the issues, to find clusterwide solutions and alternative ideas.” The district’s timeline is compressed: • Oct. 24: Point Loma Cluster Schools Foundation town hall meeting for information and community input • Nov. 29: First reading of the school closure recommendations by the Board of Education • Dec. 13: Final reading and approval of the school closure recommendations by the Board of Education • January to August 2012: Site and district preparations for closure, movement and change The PLCSF got its start in 2006 when Point Loma parents and educators developed a strategic plan for a unified vision for the cluster’s 10 schools. A California nonprofit public benefit corporation, the PLCSF has a board of 40 members representing all cluster schools. Principals are appointed, teachers are elected by teachers from their respective schools and parents are elected by parents at their respective schools. The 10-member Executive Committee was elected by the board. The foundation is using its website as a clearinghouse of up-to-date news and information. For school data, meeting times and additional links, visit www.pointlomacluster.com. To participate in the community discussion and post a comment, visit plcluster.blogspot.com.