Jeffco School Board Makes Decisions on School Closures
February 7, 2010The Jefferson County Board of Education voted to close Russell Elementary in Arvada after listening to hours of comment from the community. Three other schools that were proposed as closures – Pleasant View Elementary, O’Connell and Wheat Ridge middle schools – will remain open. Students from Russell Elementary will be going to a newly created K-8 school located in Arvada Middle School.
Along with voting to close Russell Elementary, the board also approved a motion to close, sell (when appropriate) or demolish all temporary buildings at school sites that are at 92 percent enrollment capacity or less. In addition, board members approved moving the Arvada West preschool to Fitzmorris Elementary and moving Swanson preschool to Secrest Elementary.
Those changes help eliminate cottages and temporary buildings. By implementing all of the changes, the district is saving approximately $1.27 million a year. The cost to implement all of the options will be up to $2.1 million in one-time capital investment costs. The district plans to sell Russell Elementary, which carries a substantial real estate value that has yet to be determined. Board members say this isn’t the end of the facilities usage work.
