The D51 Board of Education held its work session Tuesday evening at R-5 High School, where it received academic, operational and human resources updates on the impact of impending closures at Scenic, Clifton and Nisley elementary schools.

As of March 28, the district has seen 100 resignations and retirements. The district has posted 81 licensed elementary school, 23 middle school, 12 high school and five alternative positions. Licensed openings included 21 elementary school, 16 middle school, nine high school and four alternative positions.

From the three closing schools, the district has seen five resignations and retirements. Forty-one staff from closing schools have accepted another position in the district, 21 staffers from closing schools are still actively seeking a new position, and a dozen staffers from closing schools have not applied within the district.

The district has also tallied support staff numbers from closing schools, including three retirements and resignations, 27 accepted positions and 12 staff still seeking positions. Custodians and nutritional services employees will be reassigned within their departments.

PHASE TWO

The district is currently in the second phase of its closure plan, labeled “Planning and Implementation.” During this phase, which lasts through April, welcoming and culture-building activities have continued, positions have been posted and hired, and the district is taking initial steps toward moving and organizing physical spaces.

D51 supports for closing and receiving schools includes:

Meeting with closing or receiving schools, initially alternating between closing and receiving with district personnel each week but now holding meetings together;

Weekly senior leadership meetings to discuss closure updates and logistics;

Weekly meetings with teaching and learning and student services leadership to align supports (ILT, Instructor-Led Training);

Weekly meetings with operations and teaching and learning staff for logistics planning;

Weekly meetings with site directors and principals.

PREPARING TO MOVE

The district has scheduled for the delivery of 11,760 packing boxes to both closing and receiving schools by the end of April 4 to support staff with moving materials. Additionally, 11 dumpsters have been arranged at all sites, along with carts and plastic totes.

The district’s instructional and operational teams are holding weekly planning sessions to align timelines, storage needs and transition support.

Large furniture and curriculum moves will begin May 23, three days after the final staff workday and one day after the final packing day for staff.

The district is supporting schools with inventory and transferring curriculum, Title I-funded items and all other classroom materials.

The district has tasked the Colorado Education Initiative (CEI) with administering a parent survey to gather parent perspective on what they want to see during this transition process.