The Nampa (Idaho) school district is looking at closing a middle school and three elementary schools.
The Idaho Press reports that about 100 people turned out to a town hall to speak against the proposed closure of low-enrollment schools. The schools on the chopping block: West Middle School; Central Elementary; Snake River Elementary; and either Centennial or Greenhurst Elementary.
Under the proposal, West would be dissolved and merged into other middle schools. The campus would be used for Union High School — an alternative school that serves students in grades 6-12 — and Nampa Academy.
With the closure of Snake River, the Gateways Program would be moved to that campus.
Central's building would become a new home for the Nampa Early Childhood Learning Center and Nampa Online Virtual Academy.
Centennial or Greenhurst would be decommissioned.
Seventh-grader Liam McArthur received a standing ovation at the town hall after discussing the importance of his schools.
“When you make this decision, I want you to think of me,” said Liam, who has attended both Centennial and West. “I’m one of many Hispanic kids raised in the Nampa School District asking you to keep my school open.”
Other speakers said that the proposal to close schools seemed abrupt.
The board’s next discussion will take place at its Dec. 18 meeting, when a decision may be made.
