Poland school board approves schools reorganization plan

POLAND

Changes are ahead for Poland School District after the school board unanimously approved what officials call a “redistricting” plan that includes elimination of an elementary school and consolidation of school buildings.

Beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, the North Elementary building will be used for preschool and after-school programs. Kindergarten, first and second grades will move to Union Elementary, third and fourth grades will go to Dobbins Elementary, and McKinley Elementary, the middle school and the high school will stay the same.

Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, McKinley will be used only on an as-needed basis, and fifth- and sixth-grade students will move to the middle school building.

“It was our intent for the district to provide the best education we could for the students, with the least negative impact as we move forward with the redistricting,” school board President Elinor Zedaker said at Monday night’s meeting. “In addition, it is our intent to retain faculty and staff.”

The plan, which Superintendent David Janofa says has the potential to save the district between $2 million and $2.5 million over the next five years, is a response to a sharp decline in enrollment, which currently stands at 2,071 students. Between 2002 and 2015, district enrollment dropped by 469 students, according to an Ohio School Facilities Commission study. The study projects that the district will lose an additional 308 students by 2024.

Read more about the plan in Tuesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.