As Katonah-Lewisboro school officials are considering closing as many as two of the district's four elementary schools, the financial angle is significant in the discourse.
The findings, presented by the district's School Utilization Committee, came in the context of a declining enrollment and fiscal constraints, according to a presentation from the group.
The study also includes another significant change being considered, and that is the possible addition of full-day kindergarten, which both closure scenarios considered take into account and assume a roughly $1 million annual cost.
The two options for closures now being eyed include Option 1, which involves closing one school and maintaining the remaining three as K-5 buildings, and the more radical Option 2, which calls for closing two schools, keeping the remaining two as K-4 buildings and moving fifth grade to John Jay Middle School to make it a 5-8 building.
Financial estimates given by the committee for both options have have a "Low Savings" version of a "High Savings" one, which are tied to levels of future enrollment. Under Low Savings projections for the 2014-15 school year versus 2013-14, the district could spend $324,061 extra for full-day kindergarten with the current number of elementary schools, save $1,215,705 under Option 1 or save $2,823,774 with Option 2. Under High Savings projections for the same school years, the district could see a modest $26,298 savings without closures, a $1,916,422 savings with Option 1 and a $2,823,774 savings with Option 2.
As the decade progresses, and as enrollment is projected to continue its decline, the savings become larger. Data for a Low Savings 2016-17 scenario show a net savings of $960,586 without closures, a $2,266,780 savings with Option 1 and a $3,407,704 savings with Option 2. The High Savings scenario shows the same amount under the current arrangement, the same amount for Option 1 but a larger savings for Option 2, which is $3,874,849.
The district's enrollment forecasts show a large decline. The peak enrollment, which was in 2006, was 4,041 students. There is a projected drop to just 2,965 students for 2016-17.
Cost Assumptions
Aside from the cost of full-day kindergarten, the district committee's numbers make several related assumptions. They include:
- Not selling closed buildings
- Not making money from the closed buildings
- A 70-percent utilities cut
- Excluding renovation and transportation costs
- Having 10 full-day kindergarten sections
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