How Times Have Changed in Jeffco Schools

At one time, our schools were so full that many had “temporary” buildings to house all the students. At one time, we the taxpayers voted for money to remodel buildings through 2022, assuming the schools would be used. At one time, school land was permanently lost after being sold to developers. Jefferson County is still living with the effects of these decisions, but Jeffco School Board seems intent on not learning from mistakes.

Jefferson County School Board is voting to close 16 schools throughout Jeffco by consolidation. The school consolidation plan is based solely on student enrollment. They are not considering the economic impact on the school district, the staffing budget and least of all – impact to the family. Was it studied? There is also no mention of the effect on public trust by spending money on remodeling buildings they propose to close. For example, Green Mountain Elementary School was remodeled through the summer of 2022, and if approved by the Board, will be closed less than two years after the remodel.

Can the economic benefits be fully understood without a 10- to 20-year plan, including future demographic changes and defined economic plans for the real estate? Abandoned buildings can cost millions to refit. Acquiring lost assets can cost even more, if even possible at all. Apparently, future plans for the land and buildings will be considered in January, so have not been factored in at this point.

In an age where parents beg for smaller class sizes, Jeffco touts the ability to combine small classes into larger ones. Jeffco School Board itself does not list any benefits to THE STUDENT for school consolidation, besides “services and activities”

Data is not presented that families would wish to close schools because of a lack of “services and activities.” In fact, since those who desire that option can already use the School Choice Program, the remaining families demonstrate the need or desire for schools to remain open. Public outcry, both online and in public meetings, demands to keep current schools open. Reasons given include household economics and neighborhood social ties.

Public outcry is impassioned. There is at least one online petition to keep Jeffco schools open. Reasons listed on the petition include student safety, long-term neighborhood viability, property values, and equity. See Jeffco’s site to find that a plan is already in place with unambiguous terms that this WILL happen.

No information has been presented regarding population studies, including data that has already been collected from constituent cities.   When asked at public meetings, the answer was that the board is studying the issue. Interesting to note that schools like Foothills Elementary, which will apparently survive the consolidation, was once under-enrolled to the point of considering closure but is now the school of choice due to demographic change. Studies on how many other schools are in similar condition are unavailable.

Alternatives to full school closure have not been presented. For example, closing half the building, alternative staffing models or engaging charter school models. Statistics discussed at public meetings indicate enrollment declined by 20% due to covid; however, enrollment could increase by 20% if we really understood the deeper reasons of what drove them away. Such statistics also disprove the notion that students remain for extra “services and activities”.

How times have changed.

When Green Mountain Elementary School was opened in 1963, Lakewood wasn’t even an incorporated city but the residents numbered around 90,000 (https://www.lakewoodtogether.org/Lakewood50/news_feed/fifty-years). Population has increased to 156,000. Statistics indicate that enrollment numbers are not the problem. Jeffco schools numbered 39 in 1950 and now total 166. The key appears to be long-term planning for long-term changes and asset management. That is what Jeffco residents are missing to believe the best choices are being made for Jeffco schools.