Harlem School District to hold three public forums over potential cuts, closures
Rock River Current
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MACHESNEY PARK — Harlem School District will host three public forums this week as the School Board considers a plan that calls for closing elementary schools to help eliminate a $3.1 million budget deficit.
The first of three hearings this week happens at 5 p.m. Monday at Harlem High School, 1 Huskie Circle.
District officials say the changes are needed to account for falling enrollment, reduced revenue and increasing employee and health care costs.
Public hearings
- 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8 at Harlem High School, 1 Huskie Circle, Machesney Park
- 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9 at Harlem High School
- 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11 at Harlem High School
The proposal involves closing Olson Park and Maple elementary schools, reducing the number of early childhood education teachers and reconfiguring other elementary schools so that they no longer serve as traditional kindergarten through fifth grade buildings. Instead, schools would have two-year grade spans.
The School Board is slated to vote on whether to go forward with that plan on Monday, Dec. 15.
