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Officials outline option to move Orchard Center High services into Monroe High; board, community voice concern
Summary
District leaders described a potential plan to center Orchard Center High School services in a Monroe High School wing to preserve programming and reduce facility costs; administrators stressed any relocation would be a board-level decision and not a recommendation to sell Orchard. Community members and some trustees warned relocation could disrupt Orchard's community and services.
District administrators presented a conceptual option to house Orchard Center High School services within a designated wing at Monroe High School as part of broader efficiency planning. Superintendent Andy Shaw and staff called the idea a "thought pattern" and said it would be a board-level decision, not a final recommendation. Shaw explicitly stated he would not recommend selling the Orchard building at this time and suggested that Orchard could generate revenue through rentals if not used for district services.
Steve and James (district administrators involved in program delivery) described efforts to replicate Orchard's intensive supports in a contained space inside Monroe High School and said staff would seek to preserve individualized services. Board members and several speakers during public comment said they were not convinced the plan could preserve Orchard's community character and warned it could undermine the environment that has supported Orchard students. One board member asked whether the $700,000 in projected savings factored in ongoing maintenance and community value; administrators said the estimate included facility assumptions but that additional detail would be developed if the board chose to pursue the option.
