Local News in Brief : State Temporarily Suspends Simi Valley Preschool’s License

A Simi Valley preschool whose owner was charged with seven counts of cruelty toward children has had its license temporarily suspended by the state Department of Social Services, a department spokeswoman said Friday.

Kathleen Norris said that the owners of Windsor Hall preschool have two weeks to respond to the state’s citations, including accusations that there were mouse droppings in classrooms, urine on bathroom floors and old furniture dumped in the school play yard, Norris said.

A state hearing could be conducted after the two-week period if the owners reject the charges, Norris said. The school faces the possible revocation of its operating license, she said.

Isobel Dickson, the director and co-owner of the school, was found guilty in March of one count of cruelty toward children. She was found not guilty on five other counts, and another count was dismissed, said Ventura County Deputy Dist. Atty. Dennis I. Floyd.

Dickson lost an appeal Friday to have the remaining count dismissed, Floyd said. Dickson was sentenced to three years’ probation and fined an undisclosed amount, Floyd said.