Faced with declining enrollment and underutilized schools, the Jefferson (Colo.) school board has voted to close 16 elementary schools.
The closures, most of which will take place next year, are the first step in a districtwide consolidation plan, reports The Denver Post.
The elementary school closures will affect more than 2,400 children and 422 full-time employees in the suburban Denver district.
“The (closures are) a reflection of Jeffco’s changing demographics,” said Superintendent Tracy Dorland. "I regret this recommendation is needed at this time and I sincerely apologize to the communities that are impacted and grieving.”
The district is closing schools that enroll fewer than 220 students or use 45% or less of their building capacity.
The schools set to close:
- Campbell Elementary School in Arvada
- Parr Elementary School in Arvada
- Peck Elementary School in Arvada
- Thomson Elementary School in Arvada
- Bergen Meadow Elementary School in Evergreen
- Emory Elementary School in Lakewood
- Glennon Heights Elementary in Lakewood
- Green Mountain Elementary School in Lakewood
- Molholm Elementary School in Lakewood
- New Classical Academy at Vivian in Lakewood
- Colorow Elementary School in Littleton
- Peiffer Elementary School in Littleton
- Sheridan Green Elementary School in Westminster
- Witt Elementary School in Westminster
- Kullerstrand Elementary School in Wheat Ridge
- Wilmore-Davis Elementary School in Wheat Ridge
Most schools will close before the 2023-24 school year.
The declining enrollment has affected the district's elementary schools the most. About 49 of them have fewer than 250 students or are their enrollment is less than 60% of building capacity.
