Kenston Moves Forward with Consolidation
Kenston Schools Board of Education took steps Oct. 16 to execute a plan to consolidate its school buildings in an effort keep the district financially stable in the future.
Kenston Schools Board of Education took steps Oct. 16 to execute a plan to consolidate its school buildings in an effort keep the district financially stable in the future.
Under the recommendation of Superintendent Steve Sayers, school board members passed a resolution to restructure school buildings and address future planning needs.
“We have received questions, comments, concerns and we very much appreciate that,” Sayers said. “That really helps us as we begin to work our way through this implementation process. All of the questions have been compiled and those will be turned over to our administrative team and our transition committees for their consideration as we work our way through this process over the next six or eight months.”
On Oct. 9, Sayers unveiled to board members a plan to address concerns of declining enrollment, aging buildings and financial strains on the district.
During the work session, Sayers proposed taking the district from four to three school buildings through consolidation that wound go into effect the beginning of the 2024-25 school year. Kenston Intermediate School would close and the fourth- and fifth-grade students would shift to Kenston Middle School, while eighth-grade students would shift to Kenston High School.
“I’ve actually been through three building closures and I can actually say that there is no way to address and work out every detail before the plan is approved. The danger in trying to do that is that actually stifles creativity when you are working through the details and implementing a plan,” Sayers said. “I know that’s what our administrators are looking forward to — collaborating with our staff, working with our staff and seeing this as really an opportunity of what can we do differently, how can we shift this, how can we shift that, and how can we maximize what we are currently providing?”
Sayers said the district has every intention of maintaining its academic program, as well as its arts, music, choir and athletic programs.
“Someone had heard that we were going to cut eighth-grade athletics and obviously, that’s not true. We will continue to offer the seventh- and eighth-grade athletic program in addition to our high school athletic program,” Sayers said. “It’s just that our eighth grade would happen to be in a different building. Nothing would change here in terms of what we’re offering and those extracurricular programs that are available.”
The district would also be committed to maintaining current class sizes, the superintendent said.
“The savings in the efficiencies come from being able to staff and schedule more efficiently in three buildings versus four buildings,” he said. “It’s not about increasing class sizes, but it’s looking at schedules and looking at opportunities that we have to staff more efficiently. That’s where the savings comes from.”
Sayers thanked the community and the public in attendance for their passion, support and willingness to engage.
“These are tough things and we are trying to figure out a way proactively as administrators where we can address this challenge or these financial challenges in a proactive way, versus waiting and then having to react to a crisis,” he said. “That’s what we’re trying to avoid.”
