SOUTH WHIDBEY RECORD: Downsizing South Whidbey School District campuses would have sizable savings (VIDEO)

Kira Erickson reports from the South Whidbey School District board workshop on Wed., Sep. 14, 2022:

For the past month, the school district and the school board have been gathering the community’s input on the proposed closure of the South Whidbey Elementary School South Campus, which currently houses fifth and sixth graders.

They Said It

Superintendent Jo Moccia has pointed out that the K-4 South Whidbey Elementary School North Campus could accommodate fifth graders, while sixth graders could be moved up to the 7-8 section of the South Whidbey High School and partake in more academic and athletic opportunities.

During a school board workshop meeting Wednesday night, Moccia explained that the reconfiguration could save the district an estimated $336,956 a year, because of a reduction in utilities and personnel. Some community organizations have already expressed an interest in renting out parts of the 5-6 building.

“If we can save $300,000 and put that towards a new ELA curriculum one year and then the next year we can do a social studies curriculum, then that’s serving our students far better than a half-used building,” Board Member Andrea Downs said.

She added that it is a common practice for districts the size of South Whidbey to downsize campuses.

“Rather than thinking of it as sending sixth graders to a high school, I think it’s really helpful to think of it as sending sixth graders to a middle school that is adjacent to and sharing a facility with a high school,” Board Member Marnie Jackson said.