Recommendation
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Adjust the Campbell Elementary boundary and reassign students from Campbell to McGregor Elementary.* Use the Campbell facility as an interim location for an early childhood center for the first step of pre-kindergarten expansion. Implement an early childhood transportation pilot project at this site with savings.
*Slight adjustment to current Campbell east attendance boundary where Boonville Street is Eastern boundary, resulting in a small number of Campbell students being reassigned to Rountree Elementary.
Benefits for Students and Staff
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We believe this plan has many benefits for both students and teachers including:
- More than one class per grade level: For students, this allows flexibility to better match students’ needs with teachers’ strengths. For staff, it provides grade-level peers for collaboration, which creates better opportunities for professional growth to positively impact student learning.
- Quality learning environment: In the recent assessment of facilities, McGregor’s building scored a 77, while Campbell’s scored a 64. McGregor’s facility has been renovated on one level and has improved ADA accessibility for students and staff.
- Efficiency for specialty teachers: Specialty teachers who currently split their time between McGregor and Campbell will be able to spend more time in one location, improving consistency of instruction for students.
- Expansion of Early Childhood Education: The Campbell facility would be repurposed as an interim Early Childhood Center for up to 200 pre-K students and would also serve as a Parents as Teacher hub for the district. The district also plans to reinvest cost-savings from the consolidation into a pilot transportation program for the new center.
- Expanded student-support services: Boys and Girls Club has applied for a grant that would open before-school services for students at McGregor. Those same services would be available to Campbell students once consolidation occurs.
Enrollment Trends
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Over the past 10 years, the District's elementary enrollment has increased approximately 9 percent (993 students), the enrollment at Campbell Elementary has decreased by 29% (58 students), and McGregor has decreased by 16 percent (55 students).
Feedback Opportunity
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A crucial step involved seeking community input. A public hearing was held March 8, 2018. We are committed to listening and appreciated your participation in this important discussion.
Timeline
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Feb. 6, 2018: Initial recommendation made to Board of Education to consolidate Campbell and McGregor elementary schools
Feb. 20, 2018: Administration asked the Board of Education to approve holding a public hearing to collect community input on the proposal to consolidate Campbell and McGregor.
March 8, 2018: Public hearing began at 6 p.m., Kraft Administration Center, 1359 E. St. Louis St.
April 17, 2018: Board of Education voted to consolidate Campbell and McGregor elementary schools into the McGregor facility and utilize the Campbell facility as a early childhood center and PAT hub.
Key Messages
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- We value and appreciate the dedication of current staff to Campbell Elementary School and its students.
- The employment status of current Campbell staff members with Springfield Public Schools will not be impacted.
- We are committed to keeping you informed.
- The ultimate goal is to provide quality learning and work environments for our students and staff.
