A population study commissioned by the Monroe County School Board recommends closing elementary schools.
Consultant Preston Smith with Business Information Services found that some elementary schools are operating below optimal enrollment, and child population decline in Monroe County could make inefficiencies worse.
“When you look at utilization percentage that is as low as yours, you have to assume that there would be opportunity to close some schools,” he told the school board Tuesday.
Read more: Childs-Templeton merger postponed by school board
Smith recommended closing urban schools such as Childs or Templeton first to improve bus transportation efficiency. That could save a lot of money but might mean a lot of students transferring.
MCCSC board president April Hennessey said she wants to avoid multiple moves for students.
“I had that reaction as well to think, ‘Well, no, we can't close our schools, right? We love our schools,’” she said. “But I do understand what you're saying. I do understand that it is not a problem that looks like it's going to resolve itself.’”
No vote is currently scheduled on closing any schools.
