3.0 Exploring the Reorganization Options The District Management Group (DMGroup) has identified several potentially feasible reorganization options for community consideration. These options are grouped below into thematic categories to help clarify their primary focus. 3.1 Category 1: Options Focused on Elementary School Buildings & Structures 3.1.1 Option 1: Maintain Existing Structures (Status Quo) ● Key Features: ○ The 6 current elementary schools remain in their 4 buildings. ○ Grade levels stay K-6. ○ Programs and open enrollment policies do not change. ● Main Benefit: This option causes no disruption to students, families, or staff and preserves existing school communities. ● Main Drawback: It fails to solve two core issues. First, it does not address the district's long-term financial unsustainability, leaving it vulnerable to future budget cuts. Second, it maintains facility inequities, as some students are in new buildings while others are in buildings needing significant renovation. ● Cost & Sustainability: Minimal short-term investment is required, but significant long-term renovation costs (estimated at $17.5M for Conant) are deferred. This option has Less Sustainability as resources remain tied up in maintaining an inefficient structure. 3.1.2 Option 2: Shift to 3 Elementary Buildings (Facility Consolidation) ● Key Features: ○ Consolidates from 4 elementary buildings to 3 by closing the Conant facility. ○ Maintains all 6 separate K-6 schools. One of the large buildings would house 3 schools together. ○ The school community from the closed building would be relocated to one of the other twin-school buildings. ○ It is unlikely the building with 3 schools co-loaced would be able to house all of the current students, so some students would need to be re-assigned. ● Main Benefit: It avoids the costly renovation of the Conant building and moves students into higher-quality facilities while preserving the identity of all 6 individual schools. ● Main Drawback: Relocating a school community can lead to resistance and a perceived loss of school culture. The buildings receiving more students may feel crowded, and shared resources could be stretched. ● Cost & Sustainability: Avoids major renovation costs and reduces long-term operational costs. It has Medium Sustainability as it provides some financial stability, though it requires trade-offs.
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