The uncertainty comes from a series of school closings and consolidations proposed by administrators in the district and currently under review by members of the board.
The district has discussed consolidation for years due to declining enrollments; over 16% of seats in district classrooms are empty. But the revelation, this summer, of a roughly $22 million budget shortfall has made consolidation urgent.
“This is the first time we’ve had this financial situation that has prompted a sense of urgency,” said Superintendent Ashly McGinnis at a public hearing held on Oct. 13.
While McGinnis recognized the difficulty of change, she said the financial situation “makes it essential that we evaluate the most sustainable structure for the future of our district.”
Administrators are recommending the board choose between two consolidation plans. One would close Lafayette High School, located north of the city, and preserve Benton High School along with Central High School. The other plan would close Benton, which has served the city’s south side since 1905, preserving Lafayette and Central.
Administrators considered other scenarios. If the district closed Central High, Lafayette and Benton would not provide enough seats. “It wouldn’t work,” said McGinnis, “[we would have] insufficient capacity.”
Some in the city have called for preserving all three high schools, but administrators say this is unsustainable both in terms of student population and in terms of district finances. Shuttering either Benton or Lafayette, along with a series of consolidations at the elementary school and early learning levels, could return the district to sound fiscal health by 2030, recovering a 20% reserve ratio, a benchmark of sound school finances used by the state’s department of education. The plan shuttering Benton would deliver those savings somewhat sooner, while also impacting fewer students and staff.
After the district realized this summer that retiring administrators had mis-estimated enrollments, failed to meet deadlines for federal funding programs, and spent on un-budgeted emergency HVAC repairs, its reserve ratio fell to 10% this fiscal year, prompting the urgent consolidation process.
Savings in the proposed plans come largely through staff reductions. The district says cuts will come over time, through attrition and retirement rather than a mass layoff next school year.
“Going into year one of a consolidation,” explained Human Resources Director Mark Korell, “we’ll most likely have a surplus of teachers. And we’re okay with that because if the board does choose to do this, we anticipate mistakes along the way, and we want to be overstaffed in year one.”
“By year three, through attrition,” Korell said, “that’s about when we’re going to be right-staffed.”
The Oct. 13 hearing was held at the Benton High School auditorium. Over 25 parents, staff members, students, and community members voiced concerns and expressed opinions.
Many showed up to defend their schools or argue for one plan over the other. Some asked for more time, but many urged the district to take decisive action.
David Jones, who teaches high school in St. Joseph, thanked the board and the administration for their work, but said, “students and staff have been traumatized for too many years by what may or may not happen.” He urged them to “make a decision, stick to a decision, and move forward.”
Kevin Kelly, who has worked on multiple ballot initiatives with the district, said inaction would risk continued financial strain and state intervention. “We have to get on the wagon and change if we are going to continue to move the school district forward,” he said.
In addition to public comment, the board has been inundated with emails and letters from concerned residents. Students at the Bessie Ellison Elementary School, which is slated for closure in both recommended plans, wrote the board letters in hopes of preserving their school.
Following the listening session, School Board President LaTonya Williams said she is not sure which plan she will support, adding she has many remaining questions.
“In all honesty, I’m not sleeping at night because I’m looking at the plans, and I’m looking at the pros and the cons of each one. I know that our decision will change the course of the community for generations to come,” she said.
The board could vote on a consolidation plan, or another option, as soon as its Oct. 27 meeting. A listening session at Lafayette High School is scheduled for Oct. 21.
