Greenfield Central proposes consolidations, cites $1.78 million in annual savings amid school finance changes

Greenfield Central Superintendent Harold Ohl told a public meeting that district leaders are recommending three consolidations and repurposings to respond to long-term enrollment declines and an expected multi-year revenue drop from recent state school-finance changes. The plan would combine the district's two intermediate grades at Maxwell, move Weston elementary students into the Harris/GIS site, and place all preschool programming at Weston, with staged implementation expected in 2026'27.

The recommendation follows three outside studies the district commissioned and a demographic projection. "We would like to avoid that," Superintendent Harold Ohl said, referring to the cuts and program losses the district seeks to prevent. Assistant Superintendent Jason Carey summarized facilities and enrollment, saying the district is "a little bit of an anomaly" for operating eight buildings for roughly 4,180 students when similar districts do it with five or six buildings.

Business Manager Nate Day linked the proposal to statewide legislative changes. "This is probably the most substantial change in school finance in the last 50 years," Day said of SEA 1, which he said will change tax-rate calculations and available levies. Day…