Firm to Present Realignment Plans to Plymouth-Canton Board

Plymouth-Canton Community Schools likely will be faced with the when a firm commissioned by the district presents three realignment plans 6 p.m. Thursday at .

Southfield-based Plante Moran CRESA was brought in by the district to conduct a survey to maximize the school district's existing facilities while saving money. In doing so, the firm came up with three scenarios, all of which include closing at least one elementary school building.

One scenario that would close three elementary buildings would save between $3.5 million and $3.7 million per year. Another plan, switching elementaries to a K-6 format, would close two elementary buildings and one middle school, saving between $2.7 million and $3 million per year. A third option would provide a pre-kindergarten program, switch existing elementaries to an lower- and upper-grade format and close two elementary buildings, saving between $2.4 million and $2.6 million per year.

The district's utilization of facilities could be further complicated by the district's , a move prompted by state legislation that only provides full kindergarten funding if districts adopt full-time schedules. Until then, the district had received full funding for half-day kindergarten.

This is the first of several upcoming meetings about the district's realignment options. The district has provided a summary of past meetings about building realignment and facility utilization. The upcoming meeting schedule is as follows:

• Feb. 2 – Presentation of Options – 6 p.m. Discovery Middle School
• Feb. 7 – Community Forum – 6:30 p.m. Discovery Middle School
• Feb. 27 – Community Forum – 6:30 p.m. Discovery Middle School
• March 6 – Community Forum – 6:30 p.m. Discovery Middle School
• March 27– Board Meeting – Final Decision – 7 p.m. Discovery Middle School

If you go:

• Plymouth-Canton Board of Education special meeting
• The board will hear facility utilization scenarios presented by Plante Moran CRESA, all of which are expected to include closing elementary buildings.
• 6 p.m., , 45083 Hanford Road, Canton.