Policy 3995

Facilities - Purpose

Facilities - Guidelines for Closing Schools

Reviewed and affirmed by the Board:  10/24/2017
Last Revision: 
Original publish date: 01/26/2010
Related policies & regulations:  
Legal references:  

  

In general, schools will be considered for closing when the enrollment drops below a level at which instruction can be efficiently delivered, when a more adequate facility is within walking distance, when learning problems are created by the environment around the building or when the building is unsafe.  Schools will be considered for closing if such closing assists in balancing building utilization throughout the District.  Buildings closed as attendance centers should be considered for alternate School District uses or surplussed.

 

If staff makes a recommendation for closing schools, the recommendation will be made to the Lincoln Board of Education in August.  In no case will a recommendation be implemented until the next school year after it is made.

 

In making recommendations to close a school, staff will consider the following guidelines:

  1. A strong consideration for closing schools shall relate to opportunities for improving or maintaining the instructional program for students at the school to be closed as well as at the receiving school at costs which are reasonable and comparable to those for other buildings within the Lincoln Public School District.
  2. Decisions to close schools shall consider the structural and instructional adequacy of the facility with respect to safety, suitability for the instructional program, accessibility, environment surrounding the building and the costs involved in maintaining its adequacy.
  3. Decisions to close schools shall consider if enrollment is sufficient for the provisions of a complete instructional program at an efficient cost.  Such consideration shall include the prognosis for future enrollment, determination if there are additional areas that the building might serve, determination of the potential for housing special school programs or other community activities in the building and consultation with city and county planning officials.
  4. Decisions to close schools shall consider the proximity of alternate sites for the students affected.  To preserve the neighborhood concept, a primary consideration will be the extent to which students have access to an alternative site within walking distance which also has available space.  If transportation is involved, consideration must be given to distances traveled and costs involved to sites that have adequate facilities.
  5. In considering whether to close a school, potential impact of the closing on the affected neighborhood as well as projected cost savings will be taken into account.
  6. Decisions to close schools shall take into account potential for other reasonable uses of the building.
  7. Decisions to close schools shall involve appropriate opportunities for public information and discussion and in no case shall be accomplished without benefit of public hearing.
  8. Recommendations from staff regarding school closings shall be accompanied by data to demonstrate that the guidelines have been applied.