Merger of 2 Hawaii elementary schools goes smoothly

From The Honolulu Star-Bulletin: Two weeks into Hawaii's school year, former students and teachers at the now-shuttered Wailupe Valley Elementary School have made a smooth transition at Aina Haina Elementary School.

APRIL 2009...from The Honolulu Star-Bulletin: A task force in Hawaii has recommended closing Wailupe Valley Elementary School and consolidating it by this fall with Aina Haina Elementary School. All 79 Wailupe students would be moved, including those with geographic exception, to attend Aina Haina, under the recommendation. The task force also recommended to set aside up to $200,000 for the transition. The savings to the Department of Education if Wailupe is shut down would be a little less than $800,000, mostly for salary costs. However, the school could be reopened as another type of public school.

EARLIER....From The Honolulu Star-Bulletin: Hawaii education officials are considering whether to close Wailupe Valley Elementary School in Honolulu. A hearing will be held to discuss a task force report on the advantages and disadvantages of closing Wailupe Elementary and sending students and needed staff to Aina Haina Elementary School. Seventy-nine K-5 students attend Wailupe Elementary, compared with 543 K-5 students at Aina Haina. According to the report, task force members determined the Department of Education would save about $800,000 annually with the closure of the school and the transfer of the students.