Leburg district outlines plan to merge Carver and Oak Park to expand student opportunities

District staff presented a plan to combine Carver and Oak Park into a single, larger campus aimed at expanding elective offerings and improving staffing efficiency, saying the move would create more course options for middle‑school students and reduce isolated "singleton" teaching assignments.

Staff framed the proposal around student opportunity. A district presenter said a consolidated campus could support a broader slate of electives — such as culinary arts, robotics and expanded world‑language instruction — that individual smaller schools currently cannot sustain. "A school of a thousand students allows for more continuity as far as teachers go and I could collaborate," the presenter said, arguing that larger teams would improve both student choice and teacher retention.

Why it matters: Board members and principals said merging campuses could feed high‑school career programs and streamline district resources. Presenters noted Perkins grant eligibility for career‑tech programs if clear feeder relationships are established, while the district estimated capital savings by avoiding partial rebuilds at older facilities.

Community and safety concerns figured prominently in the discussion. Mayor Barry, invited to speak by the chair, said she supports expanded opportunities but stressed safety, policing and transportation planning: "For our safety, there's sidewalks there. But I'm just looking at the whole big picture," she said, urging careful planning around Griffin Road and nearby utilities and facilities.

School leaders at Carver and Oak Park detailed operational advantages and cautioned about leadership and culture work needed during a transition. Principal KT said teachers already collaborate across campuses and that a single site would allow teams to focus on grade‑level instruction rather than the multiple preps forced by small staffs. Dr. Langley said combined leadership and shared resources would improve elective continuity and help retain staff.

Next steps: Staff said faculty meetings at both campuses were scheduled immediately, and two community listening sessions were planned for June 2 and June 4 to present details and collect input. The district plans to bring a design contract and preconstruction agreement for consideration at the board's June 8 meeting.

Officials urged caution on messaging and timing so the community does not perceive the plan as a fait accompli. One board member noted previous resistance to earlier consolidation proposals and said the district must avoid surprise opposition by clearly explaining the student‑centered reasons for the change.

The board did not take a formal vote during the workshop; staff said any approvals would come at a future regular meeting after the scheduled community outreach.