Superintendent outlines consolidation options, timeline and $73 million capital plan for Silver Consolidated Schools

Superintendent William Hawkins presented the Silver Consolidated Schools district's feasibility study and facilities master-plan outcomes during the Grant County work session, outlining consolidation scenarios for underused elementary campuses and progress on a funded rebuild of Cliff Schools.

Hawkins told commissioners the district undertook a facilities master plan with Capital AE and a task force of about 20 people to evaluate capacity, enrollment and building adequacy. "We need to right size our elementary schools to align with our current and projected elementary enrollment," Hawkins said, pointing to historically declining enrollment and underused classroom space. He described scenarios that would consolidate Jose Barrios and Sixth Street elementary schools to increase utilization from roughly 60% to between 85% and 94% in some configurations.

Hawkins reviewed financing already secured: a $24 million local bond passed by voters and a state waiver that unlocked approximately $44 million in state funds, producing a combined project value near $73 million over five to six years to address Cliff Schools and other campus projects. He said the bond passed while a related SB 9 maintenance levy did not, leaving local routine-maintenance funding short for the coming year.

Why it matters: The district faces long-term enrollment decline and aging school buildings. The feasibility study identifies potential savings—Hawkins cited a projected $1,495,000 annual operating savings from consolidation—and aims to keep core programs while improving facilities.

Operational and timing details: Hawkins said the district has selected Decker as the architect for Cliff Schools, secured a PSCOC waiver, and begun design. He recommended the school board present a fuller plan to the community and, after additional communications and planning next school year, announce decisions in August or September 2025 so any closures would take effect the following school year. "In May, potentially, depending on the board's recommendation, you can see one, if not two schools being closed officially," Hawkins said as a possible outcome pending the board's decision.

Concerns and considerations raised by commissioners included historic preservation and community attachment to buildings (one commissioner called Sixth Street a local landmark) and effects on classroom size, early-childhood capacity and transportation. Hawkins addressed several of these: he said transportation-cost changes would likely be minimal, ridership and stops would remain similar, and the district intends to preserve sufficient early-childhood slots by keeping Silver Scholars open.

Next steps: Hawkins said the task force will deliver a full presentation to the school board on June 16 and anticipated the board would take action in late summer to set implementation planning for the following school year. Commissioners encouraged community engagement and offered to support the school board as the elected decision body.