The Springfield Public School District is recommending merging Campbell Elementary with McGregor Elementary starting with the 2018-2019 school year.
According to the district, consolidation would stabilize declining enrollment at both sites. The vacated Campbell building would be used to expand the district’s early childhood education. Specifically, the district plans to create an interim learning center and Parents as Teachers hub in center city for up to 200 children. The expansion would include a pilot transportation program for the neighborhood, according to SPS, “to be studied for potential future expansion districtwide.”
In a news release, the district said that Campbell Elementary currently has one class per grade level, "limiting opportunities to move students to classrooms that better address their needs. McGregor will have multiple classrooms per grade level to provide more options."
The recommendation is part of an update to the SPS facility master plan, which was presented to the Board of Education this week. The district said it reflects public feedback given after the failed April 2017 bond election. The long-term project list will be studied by a group of architects hired in December. Down the road, they’ll present renovation and reconstruction costs for consideration as part of a future bond proposal.
SPS Superintendent Dr. John Jungmann said feedback from the community includes a desire for the district to address the most significant needs first starting with sites that scored lowest on condition, to consider renovating buildings whenever possible, to be specific with recommendations and to engage in ongoing communication through the process.
The Springfield School Board is expected to vote February 20 on the recommendation to send the list of long-term projects to the architects for cost analysis and to proceed with a public hearing at the Kraft Administration Center on March 8 to discuss consolidating and repurposing Campbell Elementary. A final vote by the board is set for March 20.
