Campbell/McGregor Consolidation Update
Recommendation
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
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
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).
News Release
Feedback Opportunity
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
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
- 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.