Parents, teachers, students — and even a school board member — are not happy with the quick pace taken by South Whidbey school officials.

They feel there is a rush to judgement under way on the school district’s restructuring plans, which include shutting down Langley Middle School, and want to put on the brakes.

The school board plans to announce its restructuring decision on July 22. The goal is to save

$1.85 million next year, almost 11 percent of the district’s annual $17 million budget. Closing the middle school is at the top of the list, and the move is expected to save an estimated $498,000 annually.

“I think we should wait for at least another two months,” said school board member Steven Scoles.

“There is a false sense of urgency about the desire to close LMS without looking at other options,” he said. “What’s the hurry? Besides, lots of parents and staff are away for the summer, and it seems wrong to move ahead without the benefit of full community input.”

District Superintendent Fred McCarthy, however, believes action must be taken soon. The district has to finalize its plan for the future well before it goes before voters with a long-term bond measure in February 2010.

In his most recent report to the board, McCarthy recommended closing the middle school and selling or leasing the 23-acre property near downtown Langley.

Scoles said closing LMS and moving all classes to the high school would create more problems than it would solve.

“There are three gyms and two fields at the middle school, two gyms at the high school,” he pointed out. “All those students using two gyms instead of five doesn’t make sense.”

Scoles noted the easy access students have getting into downtown Langley for social programs and intern apprenticeships.

“At this age, 12 to 14, having their own school gives them a sense of place that will be lost if they are forced to move,” he said.

Scoles said the move for a speedy decision is being motivated by two things: the bond vote and McCarthy’s desire to find a single principal in August to oversee the consolidation of both schools.

“Either (high school principal) Rob Prosch or LMS principal Rod Merrill could lose his position in this restructure plan, and that’s another reason we need to take a closer look before voting,” Scoles said.

Scoles said if the district has in fact more square-footage than needed, the board should examine alternate solutions. He said it might be possible to close one-third of the high school and elementary school buildings while keeping the middle school open.

“We need the time to check out other ideas, but not if a final vote is made on July 22,” he said.

As to the future of the LMS campus, McCarthy has said the board wants to retain the property in case of a financial uptick in the years ahead. School administrators will look closely at alternative uses, including leasing the structure for city offices, parks and recreation programs, and other uses.