Saline Area Schools to host public forum on reconfiguring elementary schools

The district has proposed closing Houghton Elementary School, which houses the area’s pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs, and distributing them to other schools.

Liberty School in Saline is part of the district's reconfiguration plans.

File photo

“We actually like our configuration right now,” said Steve Laatsch, the district’s assistant superintendent of instructional services. “But in these times, we’ve got to become more efficient.”

Laatsch said the move is expected to save the district about $600,000 by consolidating utilities and staff costs. Though he did not know how many staff would be laid off as a result, Laatsch said the majority of the savings would come from staff reductions.

On a $52.4 million budget, the district - thanks to funding cuts from the state, enrollment losses and other factors - is anticipating a $5,465,000 budget shortfall over the next 18 months. Numerous options have been discussed to close that gap.

The district’s Reconfiguration Committee - a group of teachers, administrators and community members - will present three possible redistribution plans for the 2010-11 school year.

The plans include:

1. Grades K-3 at Woodland Meadows, Harvest and Pleasant Ridge elementary schools, grades 4-5 at Heritage School, 6-8 at Saline Middle School and 9-12 at Saline High School.
2. Grades K-4 at Woodland Meadows, Harvest and Pleasant Ridge elementary schools, 5-6 at Heritage School, 7-8 at Saline Middle School and 9-12 at Saline High School.
3. PreK-K programs at Harvest Elementary School, grades 1-5 at Woodland Meadows, Pleasant Ridge and Heritage schools, 6-8 at Saline Middle School and 9-12 at Saline High School.

In plans one and two, pre-kindergarten programs such as Pooh Corner, Early Childhood Special Education, Early On, Early School and Extended Day kindergarten option would be distributed in various buildings, which could include Saline Liberty School.

In plan three, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs could be at either Harvest or Pleasant Ridge elementary schools.

The district is also considering moving its central administration, community education and alternative education high school from Union School to Liberty School.

Laatsch said the committee chose to close Houghton because it is one of the oldest buildings and has not undergone recent renovation like some of the other schools.

He said Monday’s meeting will be a chance for the public to ask questions and provide feedback on the plan, before the committee recommends an option to the superintendent in March.

Erica Hobbs can be reached at ericahobbs@annarbor.com.