Cliff Buchan
News Editor

An administrative study of a potential school closing says the number of available K-6 classrooms is not adequate to avoid overcrowding. Lynn Steenblock, ISD 831 superintendent of schools, reported to the school board last week that the closing of an elementary school as part of a budget reduction plan does not appear practical at this time.

The study, requested late last year by board member Keith Dunham, was reviewed at a special meeting Feb. 23. The board meets again in regular session tonight (Thursday) and is expected to summarize the elementary school closing topic.

The study explored the financial and human impact consequences of a decision to close an elementary school. No specific school was identified as a target for closing.

While the closing of an elementary school would generate some monetary savings, the impact to staff and students could lead to overcrowding and education may suffer, Steenblock said.

ìI donít think Iím telling you anything new,î Steenblock said. ìThere are a lot of issues that needed to be dealt with and considered.î

Financial impact

The study found the closing of an elementary school would result in an annual cost savings of just under $450,000.

Most of the savings would come in staff reductions. Eliminating one principal would save $124,500.

Other staff reductions would save the following: $43,500, administrative assistant; $28,500, health office staff; $43,500, counselor; $19,750, half time media specialist; $43,500, technology gifted specialist; and $87,500, 2.5 custodial positions.

An additional $57,000 a year would be saved in reduced costs for supplies and material, electric, water and sewer, trash removal, gas and snow removal. Some on-going costs would be required for a building not in use, the report said.

The total savings would reach $447,750, Steenblock reported.

An empty building could be sold or leased. If leased, the rental income would go to the general fund.

Should the building be sold, however, the proceeds by law would go to the districtís debt service fund, Steenblock said.

Steenblock said the district would face $134,800 in one-time relocation costs associated with closing a building. Most of that total ó $125,000 ó is the cost of hiring a company to move desks and equipment to other schools throughout the district.

Another negative of the financial impact is the potential loss of students and student revenue. Closing a school could result in declining enrollment, Steenblock said.

A loss of 50 students would mean a reduction of $375,000 in state aid based on per pupil funding of $7500.

A loss of 75 students would mean a drop of $562,500 in state aid. Another $750,000 would be lost if the enrollment declined by 100 students.

Human impact

While the financial impact can be determined, the human impact side is more difficult, the superintendent said.

ìCost savings are relatively easy to predict, but the human factors of a school closing are much more difficult to ascertain,î he wrote in his report.

ìImmediate actions such as boundary changes and staff transfers can cause major disruption to a community. But it is often the long-term negative feelings caused by a school closing that can prove the most damaging.

ìDistricts such as Robbinsdale and others across the state are still dealing with negative feelings following school closings. The decline in community support can last for years.î

A school closing, he said, would directly impact students and staff who would be forced to move to a new school. Under the existing contract with teachers, staff would be moved under involuntary transfer rules.

The closing of a school would not negatively impact transportation but would require boundary changes at the elementary and junior high school levels.

Based on the current review of available rooms in the eight elementary schools, closing one school would net overcrowding in the remaining seven schools, he said.

District-wide, Steenblock said, only 12 open rooms for classes can be found. Closing a school would eliminate 22 elementary classrooms.

ìWith only 12 classrooms available district-wide, and the median number of 22 grade K-6 classrooms in use at each building, the district is not in a position to close a school and avoid overcrowding at the same time,î Steenblock said.

To avoid overcrowding, current available K-6 classrooms would must exceed 22 classrooms in other elementary schools, the superintendent said.

Steenblock said the district should not count out the potential for future enrollment growth based on housing starts and growth in the 12 communities that make up ISD 831.

ìIt is plausible that the district may need additional space in the future to house the potential increase of students,î he wrote in the report.

Reopening a building would cost approximately $450,000 plus the restoration of annual operating costs, the report said.

Officials comment

Dunham, the board member who lobbied for the school closing study in late 2004, said last week the study was worth the effort. As the board goes about serious budget adjustments to cut spending by $1.5 million, the study will help the district gain the trust of the people by showing that all avenues are being explored.

Board member Rob Rapheal said a school closing would provide a perfect facility for a charter school, another avenue for the district to lose student enrollment.

ìThere is no better use of that school than a charter school,î Rapheal said. ìThatís something we need to think about.î

In reviewing the report, Board President Bill Bresin did not feel the time was right for such a move. ìIt is very obvious it would be very detrimental to the district,î Bresin said.

From the administrative side, Dr. Linda Madsen, director of teaching and learning, said the study was a worthwhile exercise and fact-finding mission.

ìIt was a good exercise to go through,î she said. ìThere a lot of things to consider. Itís a huge decision.î

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