As always with budget cuts, something has to go. And for the Eugene School District, closing schools seems to be the only solution to the financial strain facing the district.
A committee of school staff and community numbers examined elementary schools to decide which would be the best candidates for the closure, said Jim Slemp, assistant superintendent for the 4J School District. After reviewing extensive data covering attendance and operational costs, the committee last week announced its list for possible short-term closures. No schools will be added to the list, though some of the schools marked for closure could be removed.
The committee will review the schools on the list, and after its Feb. 5 meeting, it will make a recommendation to the school board.
Since the district must cut $3.5 million to $4 million in next year alone, Slemp said cuts could be in effect next fall.
“We are looking for ways to save money, and for each school cut you save about $200,000 a year,” Slemp said. “You eliminate the administrative staff of principals and secretaries, and the teachers stay with the kids.”
Shutting down the schools is a solution to two problems: low enrollments in the 4J district, coupled with budget cuts.”Over the next six years, our enrollment is decreasing by 600 kids,” Slemp said. “We have a lot of small schools of 150 to 200 students, which can’t offer as much to students.”
But the announcement that there was a proposal to shut down schools was met with vocal response from the community, especially from the city of Coburg, where the town’s only elementary school is targeted for closure. Though Coburg is a separate city from Eugene, the elementary school is part of the 4J district.
Coburg residents have pleaded for more time to come up with a solution that will allow the school to remain open.
“The elementary school is the heart of Coburg,” said Lane County Commissioner Cindy Weeldreyer. “If they close the school and mothball it, there would still be costs involved. There are lots of options, if we have time to be creative, to keep that school open and the heart of the community beating.”
Weeldreyer proposed that the school and city officials work together on the problem, something that the Eugene City Council is looking into, according to City Councilor David Kelly.
“Coburg needs to maintain its identity as a rural incorporated community, and not be swallowed up as just a North Eugene neighborhood,” Weeldreyer said. “If you take the school away, you’re ripping the heart out of that community.”
Despite the announcement of the closures list, further discussion will take place before a decision is made, Slemp said.
After the issue of school closures came up at the City Council meeting Monday, a joint work session between the 4J School District and the City Council was proposed.
“I think the closures are very unfortunate, and that it has a significant effect on the transportation and community goals Eugene is trying to achieve,” Kelly said. “If you have fewer, larger schools, then it’s much more likely students will have to be driven to school, which will increase congestion and pollution.”
A public hearing Monday at Churchill High School will allow the committee to hear more ideas before meeting Feb. 5 to finalize its decision.
“The good news is people in our school district like their schools, but it’s tough financial times, and we have to do what’s best for the district,” Slemp said.