It's a long way from becoming a reality, but Elmbrook officials say closing an elementary school is one of the options being considered to help ease the district's budget gap.
Given the district's declining enrollment, is shutting down a school the best way to save dollars? Or should Elmbrook look at other options first? Share your views in our interactive forum.
(13) Read All ResponsesI lived in a district that had to redraw the elementary school lines and it moved my kids to a new school. Kids adjust much easier than parents. All of our elementary schools are great. If the decision comes to more kids per class or eliminate a school, please eliminate a school. I would rather pay for teachers than for building upkeep.
All options should be on the table.
Time to start working on cutting back the TEACHERS UNION. Please!! Between them and the DNR, this state will no survive.
Save money by reducing the number of administrative posts--don't cut teachers or close schools.
Do what needs to be done and do it soon. One of these schools needs to be closed to save money. Probably Tonawanda. It's been a candidate for years. Kids and parents will adjust. Taxpayers will benefit. This perennial topic can be put to rest. It's inevitable that one will/should be closed in the very near future.
How about we stop putting useless Smartboards into every. single. classroom. I agree, projectors are a must. Powerpoints and the like have made classes much more umm.. interesting?? and are helpful to say the least. Smartboard's novelty value make them fun for maybe a week. Then their constant need for recalibration, their impreciseness, and a general lack of knowledge in their use start to wear on everyone. Also, I agree with Mike's comment about not cutting teachers. They're what make our schools so great.. BESIDES THE STUDENTS OF COURSE!!
I think we need to evaluate what happened years ago when schools were closed for various reasons. There used to be a school near Capitol/Calhoun which was closed and turned into offices. Swanson was closed for some time; I remember taking music lessons there and there were some offices/retail shops. Then it was turned back into a school when needed. If closure/re-opening of Swanson made financial sense in the past, doing the same for a different school this time around could work as well. And for those worried about the school system taking a reputation hit as a result of a closure, just think of how the financial drain of keeping unoptimized schools open will impact future students when there's no money left. And if we were able to sustain closures before, then I would suspect we could do the same again.
I don't understand why so many surrounding communities have beautiful new schools and libraries and we are always trying to find money to hold things together.
As a parent of a child who attends Tonawanda, one of the schools being considered in this issue, I am strongly against closing a school. Our child has thrived within Tonawanda's walls, under the guidance of the incredible teachers and staff there. There are positive ways to address the district's budget gap, among them restarting the 4K program that was discontinued 2 years ago. Tonawanda is a wonderful neighborhood school and the only one within the Village of Elm Grove. It was among the chief reasons that we made Elm Grove our home. To lose such a wonderful community asset would be more than disappointing. It would be a mistake.
No, no, no! Do not close Tonawanda! Closing Tonawanda would have a negative impact on real estate in the Village---we need young families to keep Elm Grove the vital,unique place that it is. In order to be competitive, begin 4K and watch enrollments go up!
Closing a school would be a huge mistake for homeowners in Elm Grove. And not providing 4K would also affect property values. While some residents may not have school age children, when it comes time to sell their properties, why would a family purchase a home in Elm Grove vs. the surrounding suburbs (New Berlin, Menomonee Falls, Wauwatosa) that currently offer this program? Also, we are losing tax dollars and enrollment to other schools who offer 4K instead of supporting our local Tonawanda Elementary. Don' listen to the naysayers, they don't know, they didn't have a child who benefited from the fabulous curriculum Tonawanda and the 4K program that was at one time offered. I am proud to say it DOES make a difference. And for those who labeled it "glorified daycare", SHAME on YOU!! As a working , full time parent, it was more difficult logistically to have my child attend the 4K half day program than go to an all day daycare facility. The sacrifices and extra money it cost us to provide transportation to get her to daycare was worth the ACADEMIC rewards. Don't just think of the now, think of the future of your community and keep in mind the excellent staff, and education that Tonawanda Elementary provides!
The vast majority of working adults have either lost their job or had to take a reduction in pay and benefits over the past 2 years. It disturbs me that teachers are insulated as a result of their union. I have great respect for our teachers. Our District's philosophy is to attract the best educators by offering excellent pay and benefits. As a social worker, I don't agree with that philosophy. I went into social work to help chioldren and families. It is not about the money. I think good teachers go into teaching because they love teaching. It doesn't seem right that our District wants to close schools prior to renegotiating salaries and benefits.
Good faith dealing with the entire community requires that if the school district is unwilling to impose across the board pay/benefit cuts, and if the school district is willing to pay the price for a tax increase referendum, then it also must consider a reduction in service to balance their budget. We've ridden the 4K horse to death, and increasing outside enrollment will not go much farther. The Menomonee Falls District has had to get serious. There is no reason why we ought not also.