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Douglas County panel recommends closing Burnett Elementary, converting building to themed school; Eastside to remain k-5
Summary
A district committee proposed closing Burnett Elementary, redistributing its students to nearby schools and opening a new theme school in the Burnett building in fall 2026. The plan preserves Eastside as a traditional K–5 under new leadership; no final board vote was taken.
A district committee recommended that the Douglas County School System close Burnett Elementary and repurpose the Burnett building for a new theme school while keeping Eastside Elementary open as a traditional K–5 under new leadership.
The recommendation, presented to the Board of Education on Jan. 13, 2025, was the result of a committee that began work in October and November 2024 and examined student performance, building capacity and enrollment. Michelle Ruble, associate superintendent of general administration, told the board the committee determined Eastside’s facility has more capacity than Burnett’s and that Eastside has “persistently underperformed over the past 10 years.”
Rationale and proposed student reassignment
The plan would reassign current Burnett students to nearby schools rather than perform districtwide redistricting now. The committee estimated roughly 100 Burnett students would shift to Annette Wynne Elementary, about 100 to Eastside, about 50 to North Douglas and about 100 to Winston Elementary; kindergarten cohorts were treated separately in the estimate. Ruble described these as estimates based on current K–4 enrollment in the portions of Burnett’s zone and said the theme school would begin with two classes per grade and a first‑year capacity of about 226 students.
Program model and operations
The proposed theme school would open in the fall of 2026 in the current Burnett building. The committee recommended a classical education theme with fine/performing arts and project‑based interdisciplinary instruction, required uniforms, academic and behavioral standards for admission and that parents provide transportation. Ruble said the theme school would recruit students district‑wide; the board would finalize theme details if it approves the plan.
Staffing and selection
The committee recommended selecting principals for both Eastside and the new theme school and staffing Eastside based on teacher quality (student achievement, evaluations, attendance and similar criteria). Teachers for the theme school would be selected through application or transfer, with qualifications tied to the chosen theme (for example, arts expertise or gifted certification). The committee also recommended a stipend for teachers chosen to work at Eastside to aid recruitment.
Board reaction and next steps
Board members asked about additional resources that receiving schools might need and how district leaders would ensure success after reassignments. Ruble and Superintendent North said the approach aims both to change the learning environment and to avoid a temporary large‑scale redistricting given expected district growth in the next three to five years. No formal vote was taken; Ruble characterized the presentation as a recommendation and said the board would finalize decisions if it chooses to move forward.
Ending
The plan remains a recommendation pending further review and board action. The district presentation includes maps and school‑level enrollment estimates; the board and staff indicated more detailed planning and stakeholder engagement would follow before any closures, redistricting or program launches.
