The Claymont Intermediate building will close at the end of the current school term.
Board member Solomon Peters asked for a motion to close the Dennison building and move 8th grade to the high school, 4th and 5th to the middle school, and 3rd grade to the elementary starting in the 2026-2027 school term.
“This is not a decision that was made lightly or quickly. There’s been a lot of discussions. I personally feel if we don’t make a decision now to put our district in a better situation financially, we’re doing a disservice to the district and to our students in turn.”
That decision was made in a 3 to 1 vote during a special meeting of the board of education. Lois Grandison was not in attendance, and the single no vote was from Michelle Wolf.
“I do think eventually that a building would need to close. I just felt like we needed a better more detailed plan prior to doing it, so maybe like in the next year rather than right now.”
The contents of the building – desks, chairs, and such, – will move with the students and staff. Superintendent Brian Rentsch says there will be a minimal reduction in employees.
“Going to have to do some movements with principals. Classroom teacher positions, there are going to be some that will be reduced. We have to re-shift staff.”
Rentsch notes the districts fiber hub is in the intermediate building, which will not be an easy move, so it will be some time before the building is listed for auction or for a listing.
Administration says this move is necessary due to reduced student numbers and the cost of operating so many buildings when state level cuts have occurred.
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