Howland Board of Education proposes elimination of one elementary school

Howland Board of Education proposes elimination of one elementary school

HOWLAND

The Howland Board of Education has endorsed a plan to eliminate North Road Elementary and reorganize the three remaining elementary schools so that all students in each grade attend the same school.

The plan, which would go into effect for the 2014-2015 school year, would save $500,000 per year and strengthen learning, schools Superintendent John Sheets said in a news release.

“I plan to have staff and parent meetings at each elementary school building in January to communicate and explain the proposed reconfiguration,” Sheets said. Each will be 7 to 8 p.m. They will be Jan. 16 at Mines, Jan. 21 at North Road, Jan. 28 at Glen and Jan. 30 at Springs.

The plan would put all fourth and fifth graders in H.C. Mines Elementary School, all second and third graders in Glen Elementary School, and all kindergarten and first graders in Springs Elementary School.

Research and data show that educating all children in the same grade under one roof strengthens learning by better aligning curriculum and teaching, increasing teacher collaboration and use of instructional tools. The district also does not need as much space for K-5 students as it has now, and it has experienced declining revenues — $2 million over the last two years, Sheets said.

“In these times of decreased revenue and stable enrollment, the district can’t afford to operate buildings that are not being optimally utilized,” Sheets said.

The decision either to implement the proposed plan or to table it will be made before the end of February. Parents can email questions or comments to john.sheets@neomin.org.