Dayton school task force sets public comment meetings

Several Dayton Public Schools are significantly under capacity because of an enrollment decline.

Several Dayton Public Schools are significantly under capacity because of an enrollment decline.
Dayton
By
Feb 8, 2018
X

The task force studying possible Dayton school closures will hold two community meetings this month to hear input from Dayton residents.

The meetings are Feb. 22 at Meadowdale Elementary, 3871 Yellowstone Ave., and Feb. 28 at E.J. Brown Middle School, 31 Willowwood Drive. Both sessions begin at 6 p.m.

RELATED: Task force school tours cut short by legal issue

Dayton Public Schools officials have said they need to “right-size” district facilities, in part because declining enrollment has left several schools fairly empty. That includes nine schools below 50 percent capacity — Wogaman, Boys Prep, Rosa Parks, EJ Brown, Meadowdale Elementary, Meadowdale High, World of Wonder, Westwood and the Innovative Learning Center at Jackson Center.

DPS Acting Superintendent Elizabeth Lolli said no decision has been made on what buildings to close or how many. It’s possible the district could shutter buildings that are not on the empty list and shift students around, and it’s possible DPS’ large headquarters could be re-purposed, as it is significantly under-used.

RELATED: Task force meets; Lolli says DPS not closing 9 schools

Throughout February and March, the task force will study both school facilities and ways to attract more students back to DPS. Based on that study, the task force will make a recommendation to Dayton’s school board, and the school board will make any final decisions.

People with ideas and comments about Dayton’s school facilities can send them to the task force via email to yourideas@dps.k12.oh.us.

HISTORY: How did DPS reach this point on school buildings?

In Other News
1
Artist wants you to ponder materials, mortality and seasonal...
2
UD’s Lifelong Learning Institute celebrates 30 years of lessons for...
3
HOME TRENDS: Small changes add ‘zen’ to living space
4
Dayton songwriter brings whiskey-soaked sound to new album
5
Dayton digital media artist Tess Cortés uses technology to explore...

About the Author

Follow Jeremy P. Kelley on facebookFollow Jeremy P. Kelley on twitter

Jeremy Kelley is the assistant news editor for the Dayton Daily News. Jeremy is a Cincinnati native and has lived in the Dayton area for 30-plus years.