WBS enrollment, building usage the focus of study

An article by Michael Shelton    No Comments

The West Bloomfield Schools Board of Education has unanimously approved a contract for a facility utilization and enrollment trend study to Western Demographics, Inc. for $70,000.

“It’s going to be a five-year study with options for the district to consider related to facility use and enrollment trends,” said Thomas Goulding, deputy superintendent for business and operations. “This is including our preschool enrollment programs and how those trends may impact them and budget implications.”

Preliminary meetings were set to begin last week, and Goulding said that there will be a consultant working with the district. Then, as the study progresses, there will be more meetings.

“We hope to have our first report in early May,” Goulding said. “We last did this in 2008, but not to this extent.”

When asked if the study and analysis could lead to possible closure of district facilities, Goulding said he didn’t know how it would turn out.

Board of Education Trustee Matt Chase said the district is looking to set a five-year master plan and that it’s going in with open eyes for what’s best for the school district.

“What is different is when Bloomfield Hills, Farmington and Walled Lake did this, they knew they were going to close facilities,” Chase said. “We’re going to look at grade reconfigurations and see if that’s the best strategy. We’ll also look at utilizing space in existing buildings.”

Currently, Gretchko Elementary School hosts kindergarten and first-grade students only, while Scotch houses students from second- to fifth-grade.

School Board President Bruce Tobin said the board will consider any recommendations, including the repurposing or closing of buildings, if warranted.

Trustee David Einstandig said closing a facility is within the scope of the engagement analysis.