GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Monday night, leaders with Grand Rapids Public Schools will begin the first of several planned community feedback sessions after administrators laid out a roadmap last week to close 10 different schools by 2028.
The recommendation for consolidation comes after the district has continually experienced a decline in enrollment numbers and the passage of a massive, multi-million-dollar bond proposal. In an informational video by the district explaining their Reimagine GRPS with Us plan, superintendent Leadriane Roby said the schools’ buildings are currently only 51% full.
“These recommendations will bring the utilization rate to an estimated 73% districtwide,” Roby said.
On Nov. 7, voters overwhelmingly approved a $305 million bond proposal in a 74% –26% split. According to past reports, the bond would allow for the building and renovations of school facilities, as well as help furnish and update school buildings, among other things.
The schools that would be repurposed include:
- Stocking Elementary - 2024
- Scholars will relocate to Harrison Park Academy or Sibley Elementary.
- East Leonard Elementary - 2024
- Scholars will relocate to Kent Hills Elementary or Coit Creative Arts Academy.
- Southeast Career Pathways (Jefferson) - 2025
- Scholars will relocate to the former Sigsbee school after renovations are complete.
- Brookside Elementary - 2026
- Scholars will relocate to the newly renovated space at the site that currently houses Alger Middle School.
- Grand Rapids Montessori Academy (Fountain) - 2026
- Scholars will relocate to the newly renovated space at the site that is currently being utilized by Riverside Middle School.
- North Park ECC @ Wellerwood - 2026
- Scholars will relocate to the newly renovated space at the site that is currently being utilized by Riverside Middle School.
- Sherwood Park Global Studies Academy - 2026
- Scholars will relocate to the newly renovated campus at Ken-O-Sha Park.
- Aberdeen Academy - 2027
- PreK-5 scholars will relocate to Kent Hills Elementary or the newly renovated neighborhood school at the site currently being utilized by North Park Montessori. Scholars in grades 6-8 will move to the new middle school program at the Innovation Central campus.
- Palmer Elementary - 2027
- Scholars will relocate to Kent Hills Elementary or the newly renovated neighborhood school located at the site currently being utilized by North Park Montessori.
- Westwood Middle School - 2028
- Scholars will relocate to the new middle school program on the Union campus.
These building closures would save the district $63 million in deferred maintenance costs, and more than $2 million every year in routine maintenance costs.
Roby has gone on to say that no staff layoffs would result from the consolidation. By 2029, air conditioning will be available districtwide, she adds.
“We want to have our buildings use fully, and we also want to leave space for growth,” Roby said during a past school board meeting. “It'll be more opportunities for growth, but it's also stronger supports for our teachers and consolidations, again, bringing those programs together… That doesn't mean that we are just stopping with those moves. It also means that we'll be doing other initiatives and other supports, to encourage and invite families to take a look at GRPS.”
Under GRPS’s “Reimagine” page, they list seven dates to provide feedback, though the district clarifies that changes to the schedule may occur if deemed necessary by district leaders or the Board of Education.
On Dec. 11, the Board of Education will hold a work session to review the feedback they’ve received. A week later, on Monday, Dec. 18, the board is expected to vote on the plan at 6:30 p.m. in the Franklin Campus Auditorium.
If the proposal to close the 10 schools is approved, GRPS would then move to gather feedback from neighbors who live nearby.
District administration said those areas could be turned into affordable housing, green spaces, parking or other ways that would benefit the community.
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