Dothan City Schools looking at school consolidation options
DOTHAN, AL (WSFA) - Dothan City Schools Superintendent Dr. Phyllis Edwards is expected to present a plan to the school board with options for school consolidation during the next working meeting in August.
Edwards says she's worked with consultants and experts since taking the job to draft a proposal.
"We've gone to every school and looked at capacity and enrollment patterns. We've looked at instruction. We've looked at how schools are placed. What the neighborhoods are like. How far away one school is from another," said Edwards, "We are using too many buildings for the number of students we have,"
Edwards wouldn't go into detail about which of the systems 20 schools could face closure but says the board will be presented with 4 options for school consolidations. In addition to the board review and vote, the system will also have community input and hope gather feedback on three big topics:
- What scenario do you believe will work here for Dothan?
- Are these the schools you agree with?
- Addressing Magnet Schools
Edwards says consolidation plans wouldn't be implemented until the 2019 - 2020 school year. It's expected to save the cash-strapped school system three to five million on average annually, which would go back into instruction.
"International Baccalaureate, Expeditionary Learning...all the kinds of things that really bring a system up," said Edwards, "I can't do that right now. I'd like to see Spanish at every school, art, music, P.E."
Edwards says although change is difficult, the system is looking at what's best for the students long-term.
"The truth is if we don't do something ourselves, I believe someone else will come in and do it for you. I don't think you want that," said Edwards.
The next meeting is August 16.
Copyright 2018 WSFA 12 News. All rights reserved.
