GRPS is proposing a number of strategic moves in order to better serve their students and community. They are hoping to get community feedback at a number of open public sessions this week to decide how to best utilize the $305 million dollar bond that was overwhelmingly passed by voters in the most recent November election.
Some recommendations include the relocation of students from East Leonard and Stocking Elementary. East Leonard families would move to Coit Creative Arts Academy or Kent Hills Elementary, while Stocking families would transition to Sibley Elementary or Harrison Park Academy. These consolidations are expected to save the school district $63 million dollars in outstanding maintenance and repairs to older facilities.
Currently, GRPS says that all of their school buildings are only half full and that these consolidations, as well as other proposals, would bring their building utilization rate up to 73%.
District leaders say all of these recommendations are only at the proposal stage right now. Voting on the proposals by the school board will take place in mid-December.
Tonight’s forum is at 6:30PM at Ottawa Hills High School.
A complete rundown of the district’s proposals as well as a schedule of all future forums can be found at GRPS.org.