Three elementary schools in Davenport are currently scheduled to close at the end of the school year.
The school board voted Monday to close Buchanan, Washington, and Monroe.
Board Chair Karen Gordon voted against closing Buchanan, saying she had “serious reservations” about closing schools with many students from low-income socioeconomic status. I voted against Washington’s shutdown for similar reasons.
Monday night’s school board agenda split the proposed school closures into three separate votes. One for each school. The transition to middle school in grade 6 was another item.
The Board also voted to move the district’s 6th graders to the Middle School building in the fall of 2024, in line with the K-5, 6-8 grade composition proposal.
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Director Kent Paustian voted against the item, saying school district officials could be ready for the transition by next fall, so it should be done then rather than waiting. strongly felt that when 2024 rolled around, other decisions should be made.
“I think it’s very important to act now instead of procrastinating,” he said. “For me, it makes no sense to delay it.”
Gordon also voted against the transition schedule, saying the 2024 sixth-grade switchover, as opposed to fall 2023 with elementary school closures, could increase stress for already vulnerable students. She also worries about the affected teachers and staff.
Principal Allison Beck said “whatever we decide is going to be tough,” and called on school districts to ensure adequate support to help students navigate the transition. .
Director Bruce Potts Calls on Fellow Board and Community Members to See the Bigger Picture of the District’s Goal of Providing Better Educational Opportunities and Outcomes for All Students, Including Intermediate-Level Students I was.
Prior to the vote, District Parent Sarah Brennan expressed concerns about the closure, including the high number of low-income students affected.
Anne McGlynn, who opposed the choice of schools to be subject to closure at a conference-wide committee last week, returned to reiterate her concerns about transportation and available breakfast times for people on buses. rice field.
Board President Dan Gossa later promised that no student on the bus would miss breakfast.
The school board is tentatively scheduled to vote on changing district boundaries on Monday, January 9.
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Davenport School Closure Proposal, Final Opinion and Discussion on Facilities Plan
In last week’s final discussion on the district’s long-term facilities plan, Superintendent TJ Schneckloth assured that the plan has been thoroughly researched and scrutinized. Among other challenges, school districts must respond to changes in building use resulting from a significant drop in enrollment.
The school district is estimated to have 5,000 fewer students this year than it did recently.
“These are very difficult decisions and we have worked tirelessly to make sure you have enough information to make those decisions. We see it as an opportunity to balance out as much as possible,” Schnekloss said last week.
When asked why Buchanan was the subject of closure, he said that two newly renovated buildings (Fillmore and Truman) adjoin Buchanan, and all adjoining schools have cafeterias and gymnasiums that Buchanan does not have. said there is
Also last week, Superintendent Pastian first questioned the postponement to the 2024-2025 school year for moving sixth grade to the intermediate school building. The move would allow school districts to build a kindergarten in each elementary school building, a step that would significantly improve early literacy rates, he said.
“Then why delay it another year?” he asked. “I don’t think we’re looking far enough ahead and thinking about the impact on early literacy and what preschool education can do in these primary schools.”
For those unable to attend tonight’s meeting in person, a recording is available on the district’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/0W4AgQK8z4c.
Deploying Davenport School Community Findings
The future of Davenport Schools: Long-term plans may include school closures
Photo: Sudlow students create a collaborative mural titled ‘Courage & Identity’
Alora Mielke, an eighth grader at Sudlow Intermediate School, paints a stencil to complete a joint mural titled “Courage and Identity” in Davenport, Tuesday, November 22, 2022.
Nikos Frazier
Students work to complete a joint mural titled “Courage and Identity” in Davenport, Tuesday, November 22, 2022.
Nikos Frazier
Sudlow eighth grader Marley Smith rolls ink on a stencil.
Nikos Frazier
Students work to complete a joint mural titled “Courage and Identity” in Davenport, Tuesday, November 22, 2022.
Nikos Frazier
Students work to complete a joint mural titled “Courage and Identity” in Davenport, Tuesday, November 22, 2022.
Nikos Frazier
Students work to complete a joint mural titled “Courage and Identity” in Davenport, Tuesday, November 22, 2022.
Nikos Frazier
Maliyah White, an eighth grader at Sudlow Intermediate School, will draw stencils to help students complete a collaborative mural titled “Courage and Identity” Tuesday in Davenport.
Nikos Frazier
Students work to complete a joint mural titled “Courage and Identity” in Davenport, Tuesday, November 22, 2022.
Nikos Frazier
Mia Orfitelli, an eighth grader at Sudlow Intermediate School, is stenciling to complete a joint mural titled “Courage and Identity” in Davenport on Tuesday.
Nikos Frazier
Paints and brushes sit on cloth for students working to complete a joint mural in Sudlow on Tuesday.
Nikos Frazier
