FORT SMITH, Ark. — Fort Smith Public Schools began collecting information on the efficiency of their elementary schools after they decided to close Trusty Elementary School back in 2018.
"We look at the enrollment, we look at the capacity around the space in the facility, and we look at utilizing our facilities effectively, to enhance instructional outcomes for our students," Fort Smith Public Schools Superintendent Martin Mahan said.
Now, the district's long-term facility plan committee is reviewing which schools can be right-sized — the process of getting elementary schools' enrollment to at least 80% capacity or 500 students.
Mahan said this process would lead to fewer schools and more available staff.
"When you move your elementary schools to the capacity of say 625, and really aim for an overall enrollment around 500, then you're going to have an elementary school that has its own assistant principal, counselor, art, music, and P.E. teachers," he said.
Schools like Raymond F. Orr Elementary, which has only 49% enrollment, are more likely to have students rezoned to other schools. But, Mahan said no final decisions will be made until the research is presented to the board on April 22.
"This is just a committee looking at the data, facilities, and attendance area zones," Mahan said. "They make recommendations to our school board and our school board will look at that recommendation to say, 'Is this something we want to do now or in the future? Or is this something maybe we don't want to do?'"
Mahan says if the school board approves this proposal, students at Fort Smith elementary schools that don't meet 80% capacity will be rezoned to different schools through a three-year transition period.
Watch 5NEWS on YouTube.
Download the 5NEWS app on your smartphone:
Stream 5NEWS 24/7 on the 5+ app: How to watch the 5+ app on your streaming device
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and detail which story you're referring to.