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The Scotia-Glenville School District is contemplating the closure of one of its four elementary schools due to financial challenges and declining enrollment. Last month, the school board decided to reduce the number of elementary schools from four to three, but has not yet specified which school will close. The district faces a budget gap of nearly $3 million for the upcoming school year. Superintendent Susan Swartz explained that while incremental budget adjustments have been made in recent years, more significant cuts are now necessary.
According to CBS6 Albany, closing one school alone will not fully resolve the budget shortfall, and additional reductions will be needed. The district is considering several factors in deciding which school to close, including walkability, busing needs, class sizes, enrollment trends, and equity.
The Reimagining Our Schools initiative has been launched to explore options for the district's future. This includes potentially repurposing a school or creating new grade configurations, such as two K-2 schools and a Grade 3-5 school, or three K-5 schools. More than 60 volunteers have been meeting regularly to discuss these possibilities.
The next public forum for community input is scheduled for January 22, with a final decision expected at the school board meeting on January 26. The district emphasizes the importance of community involvement in shaping the future of its educational framework.