PORT ANGELES — Franklin Elementary School may be on the chopping block again next year.
But this time, the Port Angeles School District is getting more parents on board to address their concerns long before the School Board has to consider the issue.
A meeting among the School Board, district administrators and members of the five elementary school parent-teacher organizations last week was aimed to involve parents in how the district handles declining enrollment at its schools, according to Patti Happe, School Board president.
“We wanted to be very open about the situation. We are looking for solutions,” Happe said.
The meeting was the beginning of a partnership between all of the groups, to find a solution, she said.
The initial meeting produced ideas, including reaching out to home-schooling families and others who are not currently involved with the district.
“They understand something needs to be done,” Superintendent Jane Pryne said.
But Happe noted that if the trend of disappearing families continues next year, the 2012-13 school year will likely be Franklin’s last.
The elementary school, built in the 1950s at the corner of Washington Street and Lauridsen Boulevard, was targeted for closure earlier this school year.
“It’s driven by enrollment,” Happe said.
The district’s enrollment has dropped by around 100 elementary students each year for the last few years, and keeping five elementary schools open for fewer students has become financially difficult for the district.
The majority of students who withdraw from Port Angeles schools move out of district, Pryne said.
In December, a task force recommended the closure of Franklin, but the School Board, under pressure from parents, voted to give the school a temporary reprieve.
Franklin Elementary School, located at 2505 S. Washington St., is the district’s choice for closure because of its age.
Parents and the School Board agreed that there was not enough space for Franklin’s 395 students in other district schools without adding portable classroom buildings or creating very large class sizes.
Another meeting between parents and the district leadership will take place at the end of May to continue the discussion, Pryne said.
The date and time of the meeting have not been set, she said.
________
Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345 ext. 5070 or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
