The district is also dealing with fallout from statements board member Charda Bell-Fontenot made last month. Author: LaMonica Peters (KFMB) Updated: 10:17 PM PDT March 16, 2021 LA MESA, Calif. — La Mesa-Spring Valley schools are still closed and the quest to reopen them continues. On Tuesday, protesters on both sides of the debate rallied just before a district board meeting. The board is also embroiled in controversy after one of its members made statements about slavery in last month’s meeting. The rally was peaceful but that doesn’t mean people weren’t passionate about whether or not to reopen schools and the current state of the school board.