Erie City SD board directs superintendent to study grade reconfiguration after crowded high school testimony

The Erie City SD board voted Jan. 14 to direct Superintendent Dr. Natalie Gibbs to review the district's grade configurations and report back with recommendations on whether a plan for realignment is practicable.

The motion, moved by Director Linda Graff and seconded by Director Gary Horton, passed on a roll-call vote after extended public comment and debate among board members. Board members who spoke in favor said the resolution is intentionally broad and is meant to start a deliberate study, not to impose immediate changes.

"I brought this up a week ago after it occurred to me that the financial condition of the school district was trending in a better direction," said Director John Harkins in explaining why he pushed the issue. Harkins said the resolution is written to allow the superintendent flexibility on pace and scope and to avoid sudden, disruptive decisions.

Public commenters urged action on overcrowding at Erie High and related issues. Student Autumn Sala told the board the recent state budget included a large increase for education and urged the district to consider reopening additional high schools while funding is available: "If we're planning on doing another high school ... now would be the time to strike while the iron's hot," she said. Bus supervisor Taiwan Taylor described routes carrying "65 to 70 students per bus" on some runs and said drivers and students have told her many pupils want another high school to reduce travel times.

Residents who attended stressed varying rationales for a change: several cited student anxiety, safety concerns, long commutes and lost neighborhood identity. "When my other kids grew up, they had three different schools. They were wonderful," said resident Brenda Spears. Others, including Arthur Gamble and Edison Nicholson, argued reopening neighborhood high schools would expand extracurricular opportunities and restore community energy.

Superintendent Dr. Natalie Gibbs, who joined virtually for her report earlier in the meeting, framed the work as part of a broader strategic-planning effort. She told the board a work session is scheduled for Feb. 19 and said the district intends to have a strategic plan ready for the board to vote on at its March meeting. "This work includes listening sessions with students, families, staff, and community partners," Gibbs said during her report.

Board members emphasized the difference between a study and immediate action. Several said previous consolidation decisions were made under acute fiscal pressure and that any return to multiple high schools would require careful attention to transportation, staffing, facility costs and the effects on teachers and families. "When you're talking about returning two middle schools to a high school, you're talking about closing two schools," the board president warned, urging the board to avoid repeating past disruptions.

The approved resolution directs the superintendent to review alignment of grade configurations and schools and to make recommendations to the board at an appropriate time; it does not itself change school assignments or close or open any buildings. The board recorded its approval by roll-call vote.

Next steps: Superintendent Gibbs will carry out the directed review as part of the district's strategic-planning process and is expected to present findings and any recommendations to the board according to the timeline established in the planning process.