Denver superintendent envisioned to propose closing 3 smaller universities

3 small Denver faculties could near at the end of this school 12 months if the university board follows a suggestion that Superintendent Alex Marrero is predicted to existing Thursday.

Two elementary universities — Fairview Elementary and Math and Science Management Academy — and a center college, Denver Discovery University, would close, according to the recommendation, which was posted in the agenda for a Thursday faculty board retreat. 

Fairview pupils would be guaranteed enrollment and transportation to Cheltenham Elementary, fewer than 1½  miles away. Fairview employees would be confirmed a work at Cheltenham. 

Math and Science Leadership Academy college students would be certain enrollment at Valverde Elementary appropriate next doorway. MSLA workers would be confirmed a work at Valverde.

Denver Discovery University pupils would not get a certain place at yet another middle faculty. Relatively, the district would support households safe their kids a place at a different middle faculty of their decision. The district also would assistance DDS employees find one more task in the district.

Marrero is recommending the 3 colleges for closure thanks to what he phone calls “critically low enrollment.” District projections display that DDS will have just 62 learners upcoming year, MSLA will have 104, and Fairview will have 118, in accordance to Marrero’s recommendation.

The district funds its colleges for each university student. Faculties with small enrollment wrestle to pay for sufficient team, which typically prospects to mixed school rooms and less electives like art and songs.

Enrollment in Denver General public Colleges is declining, with the sharpest drops at the elementary amount. DPS reviews owning 6,485 much less elementary college students than it did in 2014 and projects it will eliminate another 3,000 pupils in kindergarten through 12th quality in excess of the future 5 a long time.

University closures are a controversial resolution. The college board rejected a preceding advice from Marrero in November to shut DDS and MSLA, the two smallest educational facilities. Marrero had initially encouraged closing 10 educational institutions, like Fairview, but revised his suggestion immediately after fierce pushback from college students, dad and mom, academics, and the faculty board.

Melanie Asmar is a senior reporter for Chalkbeat Colorado, covering Denver Community Educational facilities. Get hold of Melanie at [email protected].