Poland school officials mull closing two buildings

POLAND — School district officials plan to close two of the district’s six school buildings within the next few years in what they say will be a “realignment” of the district to deal with declining enrollment rates.

Although no board action has been taken, the plan is to close North Elementary before the 2015-2016 school year, and then to later close McKinley Elementary, Superintendent David Janofa said at tonight’s meeting.

The basis for the plan is a recent report issued by the Ohio School Facilities Commission, which, in addition to an assessment of the school buildings’ conditions, gave a 20-year enrollment projection based on district birth and death rates starting in 2002.

“We are projected to have a reduction in enrollment of 825 students” within the next several years, Janofa said. “We can no longer have six buildings operating.”

“Inaction is not an option,” he said. “This is a major, major issue that we have to come to grips with.”

For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com