Plymouth-Canton Considers Closing at Least One Elementary School

At least one elementary school building in the Plymouth-Canton district will likely be closed as the district weighs its options after a facilities utilization survey, the Canton Observer is reporting.

The study was conducted by Plante Moran CRESA, a firm commissioned by the district to conduct the survey to maximize the district's available real estate, according to the report.

The firm came up with three scenarios for the district, according to the report, and all three include closing at least one elementary building.

According to the report, the options are:

1. Close three elementary schools with projected savings of $3.5 million to $3.7 million per year.
2. Switch elementaries to a K-6 format, which would close two elementary buildings and one middle school, saving the district $2.7 to 3 million per year.
3. Provide a pre-kindergarten program while switching elementaries to a lower and upper-grade format This would close two elementary schools and save $2.4 million to $2.6 million per year.

The firm presented its findings to the board Tuesday, the report said, and at a public parent forum Wednesday, administrators cautioned that no decision had yet been made.

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.

For more, read the Observer's report.