Eau Claire Area School District Considers Consolidation Plans

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WCFW) – Eau Claire Area School District parents gathered at a public meeting this week regarding potential plans to consolidate elementary schools.

District officials sent out letters earlier this month informing parents that the consolidation plan was being considered. The plan would involve the consolidation of Longfellow, Roosevelt, and Flynn Elementary Schools due to overall enrollment decline.

The letter sent out to parents detailed enrollment numbers across the district. In total, the district has over 6,100 seats available at the elementary school level. However, over 1,650 of those available seats are vacant this school year. The number of students enrolled in public elementary schools in the district has also decreased by over 8 percent over the last decade.

The plan considered on Monday would include the closure of Longfellow Elementary School. Flynn Elementary School and Roosevelt Elementary School would either be absorbed by the Chippewa Valley Montessori School or repurposed to serve the Dual Immersion Program.

Community members largely spoke against the potential consolidation plan. According to a Leader Telegram report, many parents expressed support for their smaller school communities and some questioned how the consolidation could affect future referendum proposals.

Districts across the state have been proposing operational referendums to maintain their services amid similar declining enrollment issues. Districts that fail to pass a referendum have been forced to reduce staff, cut programs, or consolidate their schools.

Eau Claire Area School District officials say they will consider the public feedback received over the coming weeks. A final recommendation on whether to pursue the consolidation plan could be completed by the end of December.