District staff recommend board study and consider vote next year on Renberg Elementary closure

District staff presented analysis at a Sioux Falls School District 49-5 work session about whether to close Renberg Elementary, recommending the board consider a formal vote in the first semester of the 2627 school year and, if approved, to time any closure for the 2728 school year.

Doctor Nold and Mr. Conrad told the board the review combined staff input, two parent listening sessions and city planning projections. Conrad said Renberg currently enrolls about 106 students; roughly 84 live inside Renberg’s home attendance center, 12 are open‑enrolled from outside the district and 10 are open‑enrolled from elsewhere in the district. He said about 77 students who live in Renberg’s attendance area currently attend other Sioux Falls schools.

The administration highlighted tradeoffs. Benefits of closure could include larger specialty classes at fewer schools and reduced district costs: staff estimated annual operating savings in the range of $500,000 to $700,000 and identified about $2,600,000 in capital work that could be postponed. The presentation…