Superintendent urges closure of Intermediate School under rapid consolidation plan

Superintendent Brian Rentsch presented a consolidation plan recommending the closure of the Intermediate School and reassignment of grade levels to other buildings, saying a decision must be made by the end of the month. "He is recommending closing the Intermediate School, and moving the 8th grade to the High School, 4th and 5th grade to the Middle School, and 3rd grade to the Elementary," Rentsch told the board.

The recommendation prompted discussion about scheduling, preschool interaction limits, and financial concerns; Rentsch noted schedules can limit preschool and grade-school interactions and presented multiple options. The board set a public forum for Monday, March 16 at 6 p.m. at the Middle School to answer questions and hear comments from staff and community members, followed by a special meeting on Tuesday, March 31 at 6 p.m. at the Administrative Office to consider next steps.

The superintendent framed the timeline as necessary for changes to take effect for the next school year; no final vote occurred at the March 9 meeting. The board heard the recommendation during its strategic-planning discussion and asked staff to collect community input at the public forum before further action.