Clark Board OKs Resolution to Resubmit DOE Application to Expand Henley by Two Classrooms

The Board of Education of Clark Public Schools approved a resolution to resubmit a state Department of Education application to expand Henley Elementary from four classrooms to six, board members said at a public meeting where parents pressed for more detail about the district referendum that would fund the work.

Parents and board members said the additional classrooms are intended to relieve space pressure, add an art and music room and provide space for preschool; the project will go forward only if voters approve the district referendum. "Six classrooms is great," said Michael Shulman, a parent who spoke during the public portion. "But as of today, we still do not have a copy of [the referendum], and it's very difficult as a parent to want to support this…without the knowledge of the full referendum."

Board members said the district had to submit a new resolution because the state required a new application after the district revised its request from four classrooms to six. "We need a new board resolution to submit a new application because we're going for 4 classrooms to 6," a board member said. The board member added the district had revised demographic studies and believes six classrooms will address current spacing needs at Henley while also helping capacity at Valley through redistricting.

Board members said part of the six-classroom plan would be allocated to a preschool program. "Those classrooms, a portion of those classrooms are being allocated to the preschool program," a board member said. Board members acknowledged uncertainty about longer-term enrollment trends: "Could we have a problem 4 or 5 years down the road? Absolutely. We don't think we will, but we could," a board member said.

On timing and communications, the board said it planned to release a preliminary flyer about the referendum the following morning. "Our preliminary flyer is actually coming out tomorrow at 9AM," a board member said. Board members repeatedly framed the referendum as a balance between meeting capital needs and containing costs so voters will approve it.

The board also described the referendum as intended to address non‑classroom capital priorities, including roof repairs and other renovations at elementary and middle school buildings. "We've made a decision to invest pretty significantly in the high school... We recognize though that while we invested in a high school, obviously, we weren't able to pay as much attention to the middle school and the elementary schools, which is why we've got this referendum," a board member said.

The board approved finance items that included the resolution to resubmit the Department of Education application. Board members and the public said the expansion aims to create dedicated art and music spaces and to reduce reliance on temporary carts and crowded rooms; exact budget figures, referendum total and the specific allocations among projects were not specified during the meeting.

Board members said if the referendum passes they'd prioritize necessary capital work such as roofs and then use district budgeting to pursue additional projects over time. "If we can get these large projects — I mean, a roof is needed — then I do think in the next...we'll be able to kind of take a look at other projects," a board member said.

Details that remain unresolved include the final referendum package, precise project budgets, and how any funds would be divided among Henley, Valley, the middle school and high school. The district said it would release the referendum materials to the public before the vote.