Most Hamilton County public schools are under their enrollment capacity, while 10 are over enrollment limits, according to a survey of every classroom released today.
"This is as accurate an account of total space as we’ve had since 1998," Superintendent Jesse Register said at a Facilities Committee meeting Thursday. The report shows maximum building capacity, current enrollment, building age, the number of portable buildings on each campus and how classrooms are used.
According to the survey, 42 county schools are 100 students or more under capacity, 23 are fewer than 100 students under capacity, and 10 schools are over their capacity.
Dr. Register presented the report to the Board of Education at its Thursday evening regular meeting. Board member Joe Conner described it as preliminary.
"It’s a good preliminary report, but some of it needs clarification," he said. "For example, at Westview Elementary, it does not show that the science lab has been converted to a classroom because it’s grown so much."
Board member Rhonda Thurman said the information will be useful as the board begins to work on next year’s school budget.
"We know we are going to have to cut millions, not thousands, of dollars," Mrs. Thurman said.
School board member Everett Fairchild said there were no surprises to him, but he wants more time to evaluate the information before commenting on possible school consolidations.
Committee members said there are several issues to consider when closing schools, including the location and condition of the buildings.
"We need to put these schools on a map and show people you cannot simply combine a (rural) Falling Water (Elementary) with a (suburban) East Ridge Elementary. They are too far apart," Mr. Conner said.
Some buildings, including Orchard Knob Elementary and Hixson Middle School, show that they can accommodate more than 200 more students than now are enrolled. However, both those schools are in poor condition and scheduled to receive major renovations or be replaced, board members said. "One thing is certain," Mr. Fairchild said. "We are so far behind with maintenance that without major funding, we are never going to catch up."
Dr. Register said the board should make a decision by its March meeting on which, if any, schools will be closed. He requested the audit after several Hamilton County commissioners questioned whether the district could save money by closing and consolidating some school buildings.
Commissioner Larry Henry, who attended Thursday’s meeting, said the report confirmed his belief that some schools are under capacity.
"It showed we are about where we thought we were," he said.
The list excludes three alternative programs, such as the adult high school, because they have nontraditional student populations and may not require a full year of attendance for graduation.
The report shows: The district’s 45 elementary schools have a total enrollment of 18,613 students and a total capacity of 22,799 students. The 14 middle schools have a total enrollment of 7,990 students and capacity of 9,420 students.
The district’s nine high schools and seven schools serving students in grades six-12 or K-12 have a total enrollment of 13,822 students and a capacity of 16,100 students.
Of the 10 schools over capacity, three are high schools, four are middle schools and three are elementary schools.
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