After Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, presented configurations during the Board of Education's meeting on Tuesday, June 2, for closing a school in the district, he said the Facility and Enrollment Study Committee endorses closing an elementary school.

Hawley Elementary School was the main focus during the presentation, but cost estimates were also provided if Newtown Middle School were closed. 

"This is difficult work, and this is work that makes folks very unhappy," said Dr Erardi. 

In the 2006-07 school year, Dr Erardi said the school district experienced an enrollment high of 5,667. This school year, according to the superintendent, the school district has 4,738 students.

"This projection was identified years in advance of 12/14," Dr Erardi said, before noting the most recent enrollment study, which was presented by .Milone & MacBroom representatives at a November 6 Board of Education meeting

The Facility and Enrollment Study Committee members, Dr Erardi said, looked at both present enrollment and projected enrollment while focusing on not compromising on teaching and learning in the school district. 

Tuesday's presentation followed a Thursday, May 28, Community Forum. At that event Dr Erardi asked community members to share their concerns and thoughts regarding closing a school. 

Facility and Enrollment Study Committee members included district principals, Board of Education members, and district administration.

The study listed seven possible configurations for the district, and it included negative and positive aspects for each option. Closing an elementary school was outlined in four configurations, three outlined closing Newtown Middle School.

The configuration of schools that was endorsed in the study would have kindergarten through third grade housed at three elementary school, Reed Intermediate School would host fourth through sixth grade, Newtown Middle School would host seventh and eighth grade, and Newtown High School would host ninth through twelfth grade. Negatives listed for the reconfiguration were that it would require redistricting and it would close an elementary school. Positive aspects listed for the reconfiguration included assembling grouping age group levels, no space constraints, and offering more students opportunities at Reed.

If Hawley Elementary School were closed, Dr Erardi said approximately 60 percent of its students would attend Sandy Hook School and 40 percent would attend Head O' Meadow for the 2016-17 school year.

According to the study, the committee did not look at the possibility of closing Sandy Hook School, Newtown High School, or Reed. 

Dr Erardi said he estimates the school board will continue looking at the option of closing a school in the district over the next month or two. He also said further conversations are expected to occur with the town and with other local officials, and further investigations will look at redistricting, transportation, and school start times.

The superintendent said he expects more community forums will be held on the topic.

Board of Education members asked the superintendent a range of questions following the presentation, and members of the public spoke. 

Further details on the presentation will be available with this story at www.newtownbee.com on Wednesday, June 3, and in the Friday, June 5, print edition of the paper.