A Menlo Park resident has compiled a lengthy report arguing that the Menlo Park City School District should construct a new elementary school in its district-wide renovations, but Superintendent Ken Ranella said that's not going to happen.

Dave Montague, an engineering and management consultant, says in his report that the district should build a K-4 school at the O'Connor School site in the Willows neighborhood, and convert Encinal School into a second middle school.

For a Town Square post on this topic by Mr. Montague, click here: www.almanacnews.com

By making these changes, the district could evenly distribute enrollment, and avoid traffic and construction impacts of building two-story buildings at Hillview Middle School, he said.

But Mr. Ranella said Hillview is the cornerstone of the school district, and there are no plans to replicate the middle school's specialized facilities at a second campus.

"Hillview School is the sole middle school for educating our students," Mr. Ranella said. "It's not our intention to break up one of the best middle schools in the state. ... It has distinguished itself educationally and programmatically."

He noted that the O'Connor School could still be used by the district if district-wide enrollment continues to grow.

Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.