Board votes to repurpose Westview Elementary; district to set new boundaries and hold public meetings

The Board of Education voted 6‑0 to repurpose Westview Elementary School after district staff presented long‑term enrollment data and repurposing goals. Dr. McMullen told the board Westview’s enrollment has been essentially flat around 150 students and that about 30 of that total are students who attend on transfers rather than living inside the attendance area. “We want to move as many Westview students together to their new school as possible,” Dr. McMullen said, adding the district’s boundary study group has monitored Westview for years and recommended repurposing as part of right‑sizing the district’s facility use. He said the Westview attendance area is bounded roughly by K‑7 Parker to the west, Santa Fe to the north and the railroad tracks that separate it from Central Elementary. Dr. McMullen outlined next steps: communications to staff and families that night, boundary meetings in September for affected attendance areas, and opportunities for tours and introductions to receiving schools prior to moves. Jim (communications) said a message would go out to families promptly should the board approve the recommendation. Board members spoke at length. Miss Steele described the decision as difficult and tied it to broader demographic trends, noting U.S. birth‑rate declines and the need to align buildings to changing enrollment. Miss Johan, Miss Reagan and others thanked staff for the process and emphasized support for impacted students and staff. Mr. Babbit noted a proposed plan to repurpose Westview for alternative‑education programming and said that option would meet district needs. The board approved the motion to repurpose Westview (motion by Brad Boyd; second by Miss Reagan) with all six voting yes. District staff said they will present proposed boundary adjustments to the board after community meetings and will continue supporting affected staff and families through the transition.