Nov. 10, 2023 7:30p
(WGTD)---Ten Kenosha Unified schools are cited as candidates for possible closure in various scenarios outlined by administration in advance of a school board meeting next week.
All year long, the district has been preparing residents for the need to downsize and consolidate in the face of state-imposed levy limits and declining enrollments due to lower birth rates. A consultant was hired, a committee was formed and public meetings held under a timeline that has the school board making final decisions before the end of the year.
A two-page outline that's included in materials released Friday in advance of Tuesday's board meeting lacks a detailed analysis of the options. The pros and cons are expected to be laid out at the meeting.
In three options at the elementary level, four schools are mentioned consistently for closure: Vernon at 85th and 22nd Ave., McKinley in the center of town on 32nd Ave., Jefferson located on the north side adjacent to Washington Park and the Edward Bain School of Language and Art--creative arts boundary school.
A wild card option would convert EBSOLA and Washington Middle schools to K-8 schools, a model that currently isn't in use in KUSD but has taken hold in Racine Unified. Such a move, under the scenario outlined, would result in the possible closure of Grant, Jefferson, McKinley and Vernon.
Other schools mentioned for possible closure are Lincoln Middle, the Reuther Central choice program and Stocker and Grewenow elementary schools. The Reuther program shares its Sheridan Rd. building with Harborside Academy.
Administration says it's possible that some of the school buildings targeted for possible closure would be re-purposed. Specifics weren't offered Friday.
Tuesday's board meeting is billed as a preliminary look at the options. Various additional sessions of the board and the district's "right-sizing" committee are expected to be held right up until the board's final decision which is anticipated on Dec. 12th.
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