Borah Elementary on chopping block

COEUR d'ALENE — A neighborhood school that has been open since 1950 is in jeopardy of closing as the Coeur d'Alene School District considers ways to balance a $6 million shortfall.

Staff recommended Thursday during a school board workshop that Borah Elementary School be considered for repurposing because of its location and low enrollment numbers. Borah presently has 298 students.

“We really looked at the east side, where we had most of our smallest schools, from Borah Elementary, Bryan Elementary and Fernan Elementary farther south,” Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education Patty Morrison said during the meeting.

"As we narrowed down, we chose Borah to bring and propose to you, even though it’s a beautiful place, a beautiful facility, it’s had kids in it for over 72 years," Morrison said.

Borah Principal Aaron Peak issued a letter to families Thursday night.

"It is with a heavy heart and much sadness that I am sharing that Borah Elementary School has been recommended for possible closure," Peak wrote. "I know this decision was not made lightly and comes after thorough consideration of various factors, including declining enrollment at Borah and the district; lack of adequate state funding which has created budget constraints for our district; continued inflation; and possible alternative uses for our school building."

Officials said repurposing Borah would save the district an estimated $1 million. Its teachers would be deployed to other schools. 

“They would follow the students to the receiving schools,” Human Resources Director Eric Davis said, adding that the staff would be 100% protected.

“We’ve got the openings through resignations, retirements and whatnot for the receiving schools to take these teachers," he said.

Borah's neighbor Bryan could accommodate up to 114 more students, which would bump Bryan to 419 students.

Superintendent Shon Hocker said savings from repurposing Borah would come from utilities, but primarily from the reduction in services that wouldn’t be needed when students move into another school. 

"That’s your administration, that’s your school counselor, custodians and cooks," Hocker said. "Those folks would all go into a list and our hope is that we would have vacancies throughout other spots in the district to be able to place them.”

Borah would not be shuttered. It would not be boarded up and left unattended, Hocker said.

“There could come a time where we may need to open that school back up," he said. 

It may potentially become the new home of the Coeur d'Alene Early Learning Center. Moving the early learning center to Borah would allow the district to terminate the lease for the building it operates out of at 4810 N. Ramsey Road, freeing up another $150,000. 

“We’re looking at lots of other avenues,” Hocker said.

Borah could possibly provide child care opportunities for staff. Its proximity to Interstate 90 would make for easy access for the early learning center or a day care site for district staff. 

"I think that could be a great facility to do some work like that," Hocker said. "There may be some avenues to do lots of different kinds of things in that building for a few years."

Borah mom Sarah Smith, whose daughter is in fourth grade, said Borah students are crushed by the news their school may close.

"It's pretty devastating to do this to young kids," Smith said. "It's a very close-knit neighborhood school."

She emphasized her appreciation for the teachers and staff at the school who have closely worked with her daughter through her severe dyslexia and Individualized Education Program.

"I just feel like there’s a lot of different extracurricular activities in all the schools they can cut and do after school or do a club and get funds for before they do something like this," she said. "I just feel like it’s an easy cop-out."

Smith also said she has written letters to each board member and the superintendent regarding the importance of keeping Borah open.

"I’m going to be the squeaky wheel,” she said.

In his letter, Peak assured families the education and well-being of their children remain the top priorities.

"We are dedicated to providing them with the support and resources they need to continue their academic journey successfully," he wrote. "We will hold informational sessions in the coming weeks as we learn more to address any questions or concerns you may have to provide you with the information you need to navigate this possible transition."

Morrison said in a correspondence Friday with The Press that this was a difficult proposal to make because Borah staff have built a safe and caring community for their students and families.

"I want to assure these families that if the board accepts the recommendation to repurpose Borah, their children's new school communities will welcome them with open arms and an understanding that this is a big transition for kids to make," she said. "If a transition is needed, each principal receiving Borah students will let families know how they will help students gain a sense of belonging in their new school as quickly as possible."

The school board is expected to vote on the Borah decision and other budget recommendations during a special April 29 meeting.

Info: cdaschools.org/Page/11250

    Morrison
  

    Hocker