Moore Center, Pomona Excessive to merge after Jeffco board backs plan
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The Jeffco faculty board voted unanimously Thursday night time to approve the closure of Moore Center Faculty, which can merge with Pomona Excessive Faculty to type a 6-12.
This transfer comes as a part of the district’s efforts to deal with declining enrollment and make higher use of sources. Whereas Moore Center Faculty will proceed its operations for the 2023-24 faculty yr, its doorways are set to shut completely after the spring time period.
Moore Center Faculty is the primary faculty to shut underneath the second section of Jeffco’s Regional Alternative for Thriving Faculties plan. The primary section of the plan was accomplished in November when the board voted to shut 16 elementary faculties. The second section will concentrate on consolidation suggestions for Okay-8 and secondary faculties with attainable extra closure suggestions beginning in August.
With the merger of sixth, seventh, and eighth grades from the center faculty into Pomona’s constructing, the highschool might want to bear renovation and enlargement. The development is estimated to value the district between $1.8 million and $2.5 million.
The development plans name for the creation of a wing for sixth and seventh grades, separate drop-off entrances for youthful college students, area for incoming workers, extra safety measures, and an expanded cafeteria to accommodate extra college students who eat lunch on campus.
After discussions with group members, Pomona Principal Pat Rock and Moore Principal Brenda Fletcher introduced a request to the Jeffco faculty board in March to mix each the center faculty and highschool in Pomona’s constructing.
The closure of Moore is exclusive in the best way that this was requested by the Jeffco group and never by the district administration or the board of training, officers stated.
“I believe it is a actually nice instance of an concept that got here straight from the group to unravel a problem that they really feel every single day, and so they wished to get forward of the district by way of arising with their very own answer,” stated Lisa Relou, Jeffco’s chief of technique and communications.
Neighborhood boards have been held at each faculties earlier than the proposal to shut Moore was introduced earlier than the board.
In response to district information, Moore Center Faculty makes use of 46% of its constructing capability whereas Pomona Excessive Faculty makes use of 57% — the plan to merge amenities goals to maximise sources, which, in keeping with the district, will save over $1 million a yr.
The 2 faculties aren’t far aside, with only a 5-minute drive between them.
The district’s latest work has been spurred by years of declining enrollment. Regardless that the variety of residents in Jeffco elevated over twenty years, the inhabitants of school-age youngsters decreased by 29,918 from 2000 to 2020.
Fewer youngsters are being born. In response to the district, 2020 marked the bottom variety of births recorded in 15 years.
Most Jeffco center faculties are shedding extra college students than they appeal to by means of faculty selection. State legislation permits college students to enroll in any district that can settle for them. In the meantime, about 12% of Jeffco households enroll their college students in constitution faculties.
Regardless that she voted for the merger, board member Danielle Varda stated she hopes the district takes a cautious method to points corresponding to serving to households transition and integrating youthful college students with the older grades.
“I need to be sure we’re nonetheless creating a very nice expertise for them and their households,” Varda stated.
Sara Martin is an intern with Chalkbeat Colorado. Contact Sara at smartin@chalkbeat.org
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