Will bell toll for Hillside or Tonawanda?
School closing study to look at both
Sept. 1, 2010 | 17 comments
So, let's get to the question on many minds: If closing a school is necessary to reduce Elmbrook's expenses, which school will it be?
Well, although the topic is up for discussion, the district hasn't even decided whether it actually will close a school, let alone which one it would be, School Board President Tom Gehl said.
But since the district doesn't want to disrupt its "feeder schools," Superintendent Matt Gibson said, that leaves two schools - Hillside and Tonawanda - up for possible consideration.
Study of the impacts of closing a school would be conducted simultaneously for Hillside and Tonawanda, Gibson said, in case a second school needs to be closed five or more years down the road should financial problems linger.
Still, closing a school or schools - the study team said at least four elementary schools are needed to house the projected student population in the coming years, and the district has six now - would require redistricting at the elementary school level. That would affect hundreds of Elmbrook families.
While early discussions have indicated that a school closure, if one happens, wouldn't occur until the 2012-13 school year, the action could be moved to next year depending on when the money is most needed.
Which school would be chosen will depend on many factors, including the school's age, enrollment and capacity, and "political considerations" - community reaction, for instance, Gehl said.
Short-term solution
A school closure is one of the recommendations that came forward from a study team that looked at ways Elmbrook can address a projected $15 million budget shortfall over the next five years.
The recommended options call for the district to close a school, reinstitute a 4-year-old kindergarten program, increase enrollment and bump up class size over a five-year period running through the 2014-15 school year. A second proposal is similar, but does not include closing a school.
The two proposals are estimated to save anywhere from $14 million to $16 million over the next five school years. Closing a school is expected to save the district anywhere from $600,000 to $1.2 million in annual expenses.
"None of these things is a permanent fix," he said, pointing out the district's financial stresses will continue long-term. "In fact, none of these things is a fix beyond five years."
Affects families, neighbors
Thus far, community reaction to a potential school closing hasn't exactly been glowing.
Molly Steffen, the parent of a soon-to-be fourth-grader at Hillside, said she isn't happy with any of the recommendations in front of the board but that the district's financial situation makes the choices "inevitable."
Steffen, whose other son also attended Hillside, said if the district decides to close a school, it needs to take a hard look at its selection criteria and ensure that the fewest number of people are affected.
"I think what people don't understand is that if (the district is) closing a school, it doesn't just affect the school that's closing," she said.
Ilse Frayer, a former School Board candidate and Hillside neighbor, said she is "disheartened" by the fact that a school closing is only part of a short-term answer to the district's budget woes.
"We'll go through these heart-wrenching, drastic changes … and we'll still have to cut programs," she said.
Closing Hillside would have a huge impact on the neighborhood, including a potential negative effect on property values, she said, adding that she worries that a vacant school - especially a secluded one like Hillside - could become a target for vandalism or other disruptive behavior.
Steffen and Frayer said they would like to see the School Board make a decision about closing a school "sooner rather than later" so the affected school communities can prepare.
Building wouldn't be sold
If a school closes, the district likely would "mothball" the property, meaning it would retain ownership so the school could come back online if necessary in the future. The empty building also could be used as a charter school, a 4-year-old kindergarten site or even a possible day-care center for staff members, Gibson said.
Still, Gehl said, there would be costs associated with keeping up a school even if it wasn't being used.
Given the interest shown by community members so far, Gehl said, there is one certainty amid all the lingering questions about whether the district should close a school.
"We're going to get engaged (by the community) whether we decide we want to or not," he said.
On the table
Options being eyed to help close the district's budget gap:
• closing an elementary school
• starting a 4-year-old kindergarten program
• increasing class sizes
• taking more Open Enrollment students
E-mail Newsletter
Your link to the biggest stories in the suburbs delivered Thursday mornings.
Enter your e-mail address above and click "Sign Up Now!" to begin receiving your e-mail newsletter
Get the Newsletter!
More from News and Features
- Appliance World stores won't reopen
- Sharpshooter near school may sound worse than it really is (1)
- Government Meetings: Feb. 2-9
- Someone You Should Know: Bodalski's twirling talents sparkle
- St. Dominic embraces recycling (1)
- Lunch gets a healthier twist
- Business Spotlight: Georgie's Consignment boasts high fashion, low prices
- Does Brookfield need a conference center? (1)
- Director talks funds, success
- Police Report: Jan. 31
.jpg)
17 COMMENTS
-
0
0
Click thumb to rate
0
0
Please login to rate
A longer bus ride is not the issue. It is more of an issue of property value. New families are attracted to the area because of the quality of the schools. When you are ready to sell your home, you will most certainly appreciate the value added to your home because of the quality education offered by the Elmbrook School District. There are many parents who agree that a school should close. If a school is not closed, open enrollment students will comprise approximately 30% of the total student population. This would most certainly depreciate the property values of the district as a whole, because people would realize that they do not need to live in the district to go to school in the district. While the rest of the area has declining resident enrollment, Tonawanda's resident enrollment actually increased over last year's. Families are moving into the area and specifically choosing Elm Grove as their destination! Tonawanda is a strength for the district and should be the school which remains open.
- Share
-
-
0
0
Click thumb to rate
0
0
Please login to rate
Indeed WG, And even if we could, to do so would be unfair to the thousands of taxpayers who are retired or who are still working and depend upon the non-governmental world for their keep. There are no irrevocable guarantees for them. So how can they be expected to provide such guarantees for others?
- Share
-
-
0
0
Click thumb to rate
0
0
Please login to rate
Santa's Elf brings up the point that judicious school closings would mean fewer staff and highly paid administrators (principals, asst. principals.) The district needs to reduce their headcount, which will cut back on the salary/benefit arc. We can't afford to guarantee lifetime employment to municipal and school district employees.
- Share
-
-
0
0
Click thumb to rate
0
0
Please login to rate
Tweety Bird, I suggested getting together with you and Tom on another occasion when he invited you for coffee. I'd be happy to meet at those same times any week day. Are those times good for Tom or would he prefer farmer time: 6:00 am to 8:00 am? (Oh don't do that to me. I'm old!)
- Share
-
-
0
0
Click thumb to rate
0
0
Please login to rate
Tweety Bird, I suggested getting together with you and Tom on another occasion when he invited you for coffee. I'd be happy to meet at those same times any week day. Are those times good for Tom or would he prefer farmer time: 6:00 am to 8:00 am? (Oh don't do that to me. I'm old!)
- Share
-
-
0
0
Click thumb to rate
0
0
Please login to rate
hey tosalife, here's one of your prize-winning open enrollment kids!
- Share
-
-
0
0
Click thumb to rate
0
0
Please login to rate
Tom, I don't see where Elfie suggested a coffee meeting, but I'm up for it...or in today's vernacular, "I'm down for it".
- Share
-
-
1
0
Click thumb to rate
1
0
Please login to rate
Good morning, Elf. You identify a very relevant point, as the sum of all employee salaries and benefits constitute approximately 84% of the District's budget. Thus, without addressing these areas, it is extremely difficult to make any substantive progress in reducing a large budget. As has been long maintained, reform is indeed necessary in this line item. If we were able to meet with Grant for coffee (as you so graciously suggested), we could also then discuss the laws of the State of Wisconsin that govern collective bargaining and salary arbitration. You name the time and place, it would be my pleasure. Thanks
- Share
-
-
0
0
Click thumb to rate
0
0
Please login to rate
As the population goes down, it only makes sense to reduce the number of schools. All you people who are arguing against it are obviously parents who don't want your "little darlings" to have to ride the mean old school bus another couple of miles. It's the old story...cut spending, lower taxes by reducing service, but not MINE. Selfishness is rampant in our society and that's the root of our problems in my opinion. I don't believe you could operate the school system if you had ALL open enrollment students because it costs more to educate a student than the State gives us. And 4K? Whose the buffoon who suggested that dumb idea that the voters have already turned down?
- Share
-
-
0
0
Click thumb to rate
0
0
Please login to rate
The school board has not shown the kahunas required to force teacher pay and benefits into line. It appears that the only remaining choice is to begin closing schools and dump teachers along with their exorbitant salary packages on the streets.
- Share
-
Load more comments View all comments Back to topMarlaK - Sep 07, 2010 11:27 PM - Report Abuse
Santas Elf - Sep 07, 2010 2:18 PM - Report Abuse
WG - Sep 07, 2010 1:28 PM - Report Abuse
Santas Elf - Sep 07, 2010 12:45 PM - Report Abuse
Who sets the date?
Santas Elf - Sep 07, 2010 12:26 PM - Report Abuse
Who sets the date?
intewedm - Sep 07, 2010 9:48 AM - Report Abuse
http://www.wauwatosanow.com/news/102299814.html
intewedm - Sep 06, 2010 12:31 PM - Report Abuse
9:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. is good for me almost any weekday.
Tom G - Sep 06, 2010 4:59 AM - Report Abuse
intewedm - Sep 05, 2010 7:55 PM - Report Abuse
Santas Elf - Sep 05, 2010 6:09 PM - Report Abuse
Judiciously applied, this tactic may provide the incentive required to assist the teachers union in assessing their position next time round.
And perhaps prior to downsizing to a district having nothing more than two fancy high schools, we will all realize that there are limits to debt and taxation, and will be guided less by school district whim and more by the emotional sobriety of that more mature reality.