Niles OKs separating students in grades K-5

By Jordan Cohen

Sites for the new elementary buildings have not been determined.

NILES — The days of elementary schools in Niles with students in kindergarten through the fifth grade will end with the construction of two new elementary schools.

By a unanimous vote, the board of education Thursday decided to place kindergarten through second grade in one of the new buildings and third through fifth grade in the other. Currently, each of the school district’s four elementary schools are K-5.

“This configuration is the best solution for us and improves Niles schools,” said Rocco Adduci, Niles schools superintendent. “We will even be able to add a teacher in each building — something we wouldn’t have been able to do if both schools were K-5.”

The board’s decision followed a crowded community meeting at Bonham Elementary School attended by more than 60 people. The majority appeared to favor the separate configurations.

Sites for the new buildings have not been determined.

Adduci said site surveys have been ongoing.

On another matter, the board accepted the retirements of 13 teachers and administrators, and Adduci said he expects the number to swell to nearly 20 by April 30, the deadline for resignations and retirements.

“I’m hoping to eliminate six or seven of those positions through attrition, but that depends on enrollment,” the superintendent said.

Adduci said his Niles district has an enrollment of approximately 2,700 students. A rise or drop in number of students will determine how many teachers and administrators will be needed for the next school year.