Bloomfield Hills schools debate closure of a high

Bloomfield Hills schools debate closure of a high school BY BILL LAITNER FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER http: //www. freep. com/article/20100423/NEWS 03/4230308/1322/Bloomfield-Hills-schools-debate-closure-of-a-high-school

Small, low-key crowd • After nearly a decade of sometimes crowded and contentious meetings, the Bloomfield Hills school board met Thursday night before a small, lowkey crowd and voted 7 -0 to work toward creating "one comprehensive high school. " • The board didn't discuss whether to close Andover or Lahser high schools, a decision likely to come at the June board meeting, President Martin Brooks said. • "This is the way we will preserve broad opportunities for students" as enrollments and budgets shrink, Trustee Kate Pettersen said.

Even affluent districts … • The vote shows that even Michigan's most affluent school districts are in fiscal straits, as state aid and property tax revenues dwindle while enrollments decline and leave 5. 7% districts with an excess of buildings and cut implies about an $80 million school said. budget. support staff, officials Closing either Andover or Lahser would save an estimated $3 million a year, They expect an additional Assistant Superintendent Tim Weeks told the board. $6. 9 million deficit by 2013 (3 • Although the district cut its operating budget by $5. 7 years from now). million -- more than 7% -- after closing two elementary schools last year and renegotiating labor contracts, it faces a $6. 9 -million deficit by 2013, communications director Betsy Erikson said.

Now … or later? • Turnout was only about a dozen people for the 4 p. m. meeting, held three hours earlier than usual so that board members and school staff could attend opening night of the musical "Rent" at Andover, Superintendent Steven Gaynor said. • Before the vote, two residents asked to delay a decision until new Superintendent Robert Glass starts in July. • "Don't make a decision that will tie his hands and set half the community against him, " former board member Carol Stencel said. But during a meeting with the school board this month, Glass told the board he might need two years on the job before recommending a solution, Gaynor said.

The Economics • The current high schools' enrollment of 1, 830 students will drop to 1, 650 by 2013, officials said. • Andover High, built in about 1955, has 985 students in grades 9 -12. • Lahser High, built in 1967, has 843 students in grades 9 -12. • Questions – What are capacities of the two schools? Can either one hold 1, 650 students? – Transportation costs? – Quality of education? – Is there any way to increase enrollment … and thus funding?