ST. CHARLES – St. Charles School District 303 Board members said they want to consider any major school changes before the current superintendent retires.
Those changes could include closing schools to help offset declining student enrollment and an anticipated ongoing loss of state funding for the district, St. Charles Superintendent Don Schlomann said Monday night to school board members.
“We can save dollars in ways that save [school] programs,” Schlomann said. “The bad thing is the pain that goes along with that for a community, that goes along with this transition.”
Although specific schools weren’t mentioned during Schlomann’s presentation, he said closing an elementary school would result in about $1 million in savings, and a middle school-closure might save the district about $2 million.
District enrollment has gone from 13,934 students during the 2009-10 school year to 12,995 in the 2014-15 year, according to actual enrollment figures.
District officials expect a completed enrollment report in July that they would present to board members in August.
If the report shows projected annual incoming kindergarten classes of 750 students or less, the district will continue to explore whether some schools should be closed, Schlomann said.
Board members said they preferred district officials to explore closing facilities with Schlomann’s input and expertise before he retires in 2017.
School board member Ed McNally said that the public should be able to give feedback on any school closings.
“They’re the ones footing the bill – they should be part of the discussion,” McNally said of district residents.
Public input might be collected in two phases – the first with building-specific presentations, then during public comment when any future building proposal goes before the school board, Schlomann said.
Even if all St. Charles schools remain open, district officials also have to consider boundary changes, Schlomann said.
Enrollments have shifted and student populations have grown in areas the district didn’t anticipate, he said.