Poland school-consolidation plan moves forward

POLAND — School district officials and employees are preparing for the “redistricting” plan that begins this school year with consolidation of elementary schools.

This week, classroom materials are being moved as the consolidation plan is set in motion.

That plan includes the elimination of North Elementary, which in the fall will be home to the district preschool program.

Union and Dobbins also will see some changes; Union will be home to kindergarten, first and second grades, and Dobbins will house third and fourth grades. Each school previously had K-fourth-grade classes.

Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, the plan is to close McKinley Elementary, home to fifth and sixth grades, and use it only on an as-needed basis. Those students then would move to the middle school building.

The redistricting plan, approved by the board of education earlier this year, was implemented due to a sharp decline in student enrollment. They estimate the plan will save the district $2.5 million over five years, in part because of attrition.

To prepare for the changing use of the buildings, the board also has approved projects at a few of the buildings.

The district will go out to bid next week for a project that will add a new bus driveway to the side of Union Elementary that faces U.S. Route 224.

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