consolidation

Elkhart Community Schools Supt. Michele Wiise says staff had already started moving things out of Mary Beck Elementary but reversed course this week after the school board decided to send Monger students to Mary Beck this fall because of water damage at Monger.

The former Hawthorne Elementary building, the Elkhart Community Schools' oldest elementary building, built in 1929, is one of five closing this year because of declining enrollment.

Elkhart Community Schools' enrollment is currently a little more than 10,200, but there are still more than 13,000 students living in the district whose education is being funded by the state.

"This day means everything to me," said Osolo Elementary first grade teacher Annette Hines. "I’ve been here almost 30 years. This fall would’ve been 30 years since I student taught at this building."

"We want to keep our kids in Elkhart," said Director of Secondary Schools Cary Anderson. "We want to provide them with an equitable online solution, and we think that we have the people in place and the programming already in place to be able to establish this virtual school."

Elkhart schools plan to consolidate preschool and alternative programs, create a virtual school, and relocate adult education amid declining enrollment.

The Elkhart school board advances a consolidation plan that would shift students, relocate programs and recommend closing five elementary schools amid financial strain.

New Elkhart Community Schools Superintendent Michele Riise brings 38 years of experience, including two prior superintendent jobs, to lead the corporation through a building consolidation driven by declining enrollment and financial challenges.

Elkhart Community Schools Superintendent Larry Huff says he'll stay on the job through June, delivering his school closure recommendations because of declining enrollment to the board in February