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District 49 votes to explore consolidation of Falcon Elementary with Bennett Ranch and other site alternatives
Summary
Board authorized administration to begin planning and community engagement to explore consolidating Falcon Elementary with Bennett Ranch, review Woodmen‑area property options and potential site sales to fund a new PreK–8 facility; administration said some consolidations are administrative but sought public input.
The District 49 board granted administration authority to begin initial steps to explore facility alternatives tied to growth and budget pressures, including the possibility of relocating Falcon Elementary to share a campus with Bennett Ranch and selling certain Woodmen properties to fund a new PreK–8 building on the district’s east side.
Zone superintendent Brian Smith briefed the board, saying the work will include architects, community conversations and transportation analysis. Smith said the process is at an early stage and that consolidation in some cases is an administrative action, but that the administration sought board input and public engagement. "There's a lot of community conversations that still have to take place with all of this," Smith said.
Board members asked about potential transportation impacts for families and about timelines; Smith and the superintendent said questions raised at PTA meetings are being collected and that administrators will explore options and return with further details. The motion to authorize initial steps passed by recorded vote.
Next steps: Staff will coordinate with transportation, hold community meetings and return with more detailed proposals and timelines for any recommended consolidations.
