WENATCHEE — The consolidation of middle schools was also considered before Wenatchee School District identified Columbia Elementary School for potential closure, records show.
On Nov. 13, WSD Superintendent Kory Kalahar and cabinet members discussed possible school closure, according to meeting notes obtained by NCWLIFE through a public records request.
“Possible closure of elementary and/or middle school could allow for continuation of other programs,” the cabinet notes read. “How would this impact the bond?”
In an email, WSD Communications Director Diana Haglund explained that early in the budgeting process, there were discussions that took place regarding the consolidation of middle and elementary schools to balance enrollment with staffing levels as the district was studying enrollment decline at all levels.
“Ultimately, the district decided to recommend consolidating elementary schools from seven to six in (school year) 24/25, where enrollment decline was the most significant,” Haglund said.
The district announced in January it would close Columbia, and is now in the midst of a legally-required public hearing process to make that closure official. The second and final hearing ahead of the school board’s vote is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 18.
The latest data regarding districtwide enrollment decline was presented to the Wenatchee School Board during the April 9 meeting by consultant Marci Horner of school planning firm Davis Demographics.
The data does show Columbia with a large decline in enrollment from 2023-2028 and low school utilization rates, but the forecast shows Pioneer and Orchard Middle Schools with similar numbers.
The projections show Columbia decreasing in student population by 30% by 2028. The district provided Davis Demographics with school capacity numbers, which determined the each school’s utilization rates. The data shows Columbia has a school capacity of 666, with 327 students living in boundary, making the residence utilization rate 49%.
The total number of students enrolled at Columbia is 341, making the enrollment utilization rate 51.2%. Enrollment data also includes transfer students.
Pioneer’s projected enrollment decline isn’t too far behind Columbia’s. Horner said that The PMS student population is expected to decrease 27.6% by 2028, and Orchard Middle School’s population is expected to decrease 15.1%.
PMS school capacity is 1,020 students, with 538 living in boundary, making the residence utilization 53%. The total enrolled number of students is 531, making the enrollment utilization 52.1%. The school capacity of OMS is 840, with 438 resident students and a 52% residence utilization rate. 410 students are enrolled at OMS, making the enrollment utilization 48.8%.
Horner noted that utilization rates under 70% are a “cause for concern” and to have multiple schools showing rates under 60%, shows that WSD buildings are “not being utilized.” Notably, Lewis and Clark Elementary School also shows an enrollment utilization rate under 60%, at 57.4%.
“Something’s happening in those middle school grades that are drawing students away from the district,” Horner said.
Foothills Middle School has the highest rates of the three middle schools, with a school capacity of 930. 555 students live in boundary, making residence utilization 60%, and 578 students are enrolled making enrollment utilization 62.2%. It is the only middle school forecasting growth, with Davis Demographics projecting that happening from 2028-2030.
WSD is targeting a budget reduction of $8-9 million in the 2024-25 school year and has said there will also need to be additional budget cuts in the 2025-26 school year. If the district were to close Columbia in 2024-25, the budget reductions for 2025-26 would be $3-4 million.
When asked if the district had considered a middle school closure for budget reductions next year, Haglund said WSD “will continue to monitor enrollment levels closely and evaluate whether additional consolidation is necessary based on declining enrollment and staffing levels.”
“At this time, the district is only recommending the consolidation of elementary schools through the closure of Columbia for the 24/25 school year,” Haglund said.
