Claymont superintendent recommends closing Intermediate School; public forum set March 16

Superintendent Brian Rentsch presented a strategic plan to the Claymont City School District Board of Education on March 9 proposing the closure of the Intermediate School and a reconfiguration of grade assignments to take effect for the next school year. Rentsch said a decision would need to be made by the end of the month to allow the changes to be implemented.

Under the superintendent's recommendation, the district would move the eighth grade to the high school, shift fourth and fifth grades to the middle school, and place third grade in the elementary building. Rentsch also reviewed preschool scheduling rules intended to limit interactions between preschoolers and older grade-level students as part of the reconfiguration discussion.

The board scheduled a public forum for Monday, March 16 at 6 p.m. at Claymont Middle School to answer questions and hear comments from staff and the community. A follow-up special meeting will be held Tuesday, March 31 at 6 p.m. at the Administrative Office to consider next steps and any formal action.

Board members discussed financial considerations tied to consolidation and the fast timeline for any changes; the superintendent framed the proposal as an option to address operational and scheduling concerns for the coming year. The district did not adopt a final decision at the March 9 meeting; the board will accept public comment at the March 16 forum and reconvene March 31.