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Closure feedback

Administration lays out proposal for high school consolidation during closure hearing

Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton Nate Leamon, a junior at Youngsville, speaks to the board during the public comment portion of Wednesday’s closure hearing.

The Warren County School District can’t act on a proposal to close high schools in Youngsville and Sheffield until January.

But a step in that state-mandated process was taken Wednesday night by holding a public hearing on the plan.

The proposal before the board would assign current Sheffield students to Warren Area High School and current Youngsville students to Eisenhower and Warren with Route 62 serving as the dividing line.

Solicitor Chris Byham kicked off Wednesday’s hearing at Warren Area High School that holding the hearing “does not mean a decision has been made to close either school.

“Tonight’s hearing is not the end of the process,” he added, noting that further discussion would occur at future board meetings.

Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton Board members had a chance to ask administration questions about the closure proposal. Here, board member Tammi Holden, right, asks about capital projects at Sheffield for grades K-8.

Superintendent Gary Weber then outlined the recommendation, calling it a “strategic step toward enhancing educational opportunities for students” that also addresses the “long-term financial sustainability of the district.”

Weber said three main considerations underpinned the recommendation — academic benefits, financial considerations and facilities.

On the academic side, the consolidation would be a “major step” a “more equitable” access to the district’s curriculum, citing “more class offerings” and a “diverse range of electives” that would result.

“Consolidation will also stabilize class sizes,” he said. “We must begin to think about what the district will look like in the future.”

Weber said he’s observed the district’s master schedules decline over time due to the strain of population loss.

Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton WCSD Superintendent Gary Weber lays out the administration’s recommendations regarding school closure during Wednesday night’s hearing held at Warren Area High School.

“This has eliminated opportunities” in both core classes and electives. “We have an opportunity now to make education equitable for all students in the county.”

Financially, Weber called the district’s financial challenge “significant.”

He cited data that shows that the western (Youngsville) and eastern (Sheffield) attendance areas fail via taxes to cover the cost of education by the widest margins.

He also detailed increased expenditures, the economic impact of business tax appeals and the general effect of population loss.

Weber said this year’s budget is balanced — along with a two mill tax increase — by using $2 million in fund balance, which past boards saved for expenditures like technology, facilities and textbooks.

Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton Hundreds attended Wednesday’s hearing regarding the closure of high schools in Sheffield and Youngsville.

He said if the “trends continue” the fund balance will be depleted in a short time.

“Consolidation offers an alternative path,” Weber said, while “addressing financial realities.”

On the facilities issue, Weber said Youngsville Middle High School would need “approximately $25 million in renovations” if the district is “going to continue its operation.”

He said closing Youngsville would save over $1 million annually with annual savings in the same area due to staffing and operational efficiencies.

Transportation times have been raised as a key concern and Weber said the district can make the transportation work with consolidated schools without excessive travel times.

The plan is a “sustainable solution” that maximizes educational opportunities to ‘secure a brighter educational and financial future for the district.”

The proposal would take effect with the 2025-26 school year.

Before the public comment portion, board members had some time to ask questions based on Weber’s presentation.

Board member John Wortman asked about debt service.

Weber said the district currently has $71 million in bond debt. That total is largely tied to the district’s past renovation projects at Eisenhower, Sheffield, Beaty-Warren Middle School, Warren Area High School and the Warren County Career Center.

Weber told the board that the principal will dip to $22 million in 2034.

Getting to that point “makes it much more feasible for the district to make plans going forward” should the board consider building in a more suitable location in the county.

Board member Tammi Holden asked if Sheffield would be maintained for grades K-8 and whether the anticipated capital improvement could be less.

Weber said some of the capital items could be worked into the district’s seven-year capital plan, noting that any major renovations there would be “student driven.”

Board member Dan Sullivan asked for data from past school closures and Weber said he would look into that issue.

The remainder of Wednesday’s session was devoted to comments from members of the public. The board did not respond to any comments or hold any additional dialogue on the proposal on Wednesday.

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