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Ashland elementary school parents fear budget ax By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune ASHLAND - Briscoe Elementary parents fear planned budget cuts make their school a prime target for closure despite district assurances that this is unlikely. "Parents are devastated at the thought of closing Briscoe," said Elizabeth Presicci, who is on the Ashland Schools Foundation board. Enrollment decline could lead to building closure Eyeing anticipated enrollment declines through 2004, the Ashland School District expects continuing discussion about the closure of one of its five elementary schools. "At some point if we continue with declining enrollment, we may have to bite that bullet, but probably not for next year," said Superintendent Juli Di Chiro. Di Chiro said a 1999 enrollment study that predicted the current state of enrollment shows a continuing decline, particularly at elementary schools, through 2004. Current enrollment is 3,279, 100 more students than the study forecasts, because the district created a program for homeschool children. By next year enrollment could drop by 50 students, which translates into a loss of $250,000 in revenues from the state. Also, a technology program that had been funded by bond money will now have to be absorbed by the district, costing another $200,000 to $250,000. The district anticipates that salary increases based on contractual agreements will cost another $400,000. State officials, who are hoping to spare schools from the brunt of the cuts, have been predicting reductions to state agencies of 2-10 percent. Even a 2 percent reduction for Ashland schools' $20 million in state aid would add up to another $400,000. All this adds up to a projected shortfall of at least $800,000 to $1 million in next year's budget. District officials plan to hold another in a series of budget meetings at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Briscoe, 265 N. Main St. She said parents would like an official statement from the district that closing the school is not an option. While she acknowledges rumors may have gotten out of control over the possible closure, Presicci said, "This is one option that has really hit the hearts of the parents." Ashland must trim as much as $1 million from next school year's budget. The district has discussed closing one of its five elementary schools, a move that would save an estimated $338,000 a year. Briscoe parents believe their school is the most likely candidate because it is an old brick building that doesn't meet current earthquake standards. In addition, the small campus on Main Street doesn't have much room for expansion and is a prime piece of real estate that could bring the district money, if sold. Parents want to make sure the school doesn't end up on any budget hit list. "They are not going to believe that it's not going to happen until there is a final decision," Presicci said. Superintendent Juli Di Chiro said the closing of any elementary school is unlikely during this round of budget cuts. While the district has put a possible school closure on the table as a discussion item, Di Chiro said, "There is no support for doing it this year." But she stopped short of saying it would not happen. "We will not be making official statements until we get through the budget meetings," she said. Responding to fears that Briscoe is being singled out, Di Chiro pointed out that nearly all the elementary schools will require major renovation in the near future. She said the district would have to analyze demographics, transportation issues and other factors before it could make any decision about a school. Torsten Heycke, Briscoe PTA president, said parents are worried about the detrimental effects on Ashland's neighborhood-oriented school system. "Many people are concerned about Briscoe as a potential candidate for closing," he said. "We're also concerned about any elementary school closing because that would adversely impact all schools. "I'd like to believe Juli Di Chiro when she says we're probably not at the stage of needing to close a school yet. But she's confronted with a difficult situation with no easy solution." Parents will look at other options, such as increasing funding provided by the Ashland Schools Foundation or a possible relaxation of the district's Quality Education Model standards. For Heycke and others, closing a school is not an option. "It would rip the fabric of this community." School board member Amy Amrhein said, "Everything is on the table." But she did acknowledge that the closure option is not high on the list, though it will continue to resurface as the district faces a bleak financial future and a decline in enrollment. Even so, Amrhein said, "There is no question that having five elementary schools is the best thing for kids." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.