Will Bibb County consolidate schools? District has 3 elementary schools in mind.

Over 120 Bibb County School District stakeholders attended a town hall Thursday to discuss school consolidation, a highly anticipated and fragile topic within the community.

As part of its four-phase data collection process, the district identified three possible scenarios for a school closure going into next year.

All proposed scenarios involved elementary schools, consistent with school officials’ previous reports about some of the district’s primary buildings failing to reach student enrollment numbers recommended by the Georgia Department of Education.

The scenarios were based on qualitative and quantitative data reviewed by the district’s school consolidation steering committee of about 50 members, according to school officials. This includes community input from an online survey and previous town halls.

“This comprehensive and balanced approach will empower the district to make informed decisions that prioritize financial efficiency and significantly enhance student outcomes and experiences,” Bibb County Schools said in its newsletter update.

Scenario 1: Hartley Elementary

Hartley Elementary School would consolidate with two elementary schools. Hartley Elementary students would attend:

• Ingram-Pye Elementary
• Southfield Elementary
• Middle school and high school enrollment would remain the same, with student addresses for Hartley neighborhoods attending Ballard Hudson Middle and Southwest High schools

Scenario 2: Williams Elementary

Williams Elementary School would consolidate with two elementary schools. Williams Elementary students would attend:

• Ingram-Pye Elementary
• Hartley Elementary
• Middle school and high school enrollment would remain the same, with student addresses for Williams neighborhoods attending Miller Middle and Central High schools

Scenario 3: Porter Elementary

Porter Elementary School would consolidate with two elementary schools. Porter Elementary students would attend:

• Heard Elementary
• Skyview Elementary
• Middle school and high school enrollment would remain the same, with student addresses for Porter neighborhoods attending Rutland middle and high schools

The district emphasized that the scenarios were presented for community feedback, and it has not reached a final decision about which school would be impacted.

District stakeholders raised their concerns about the proposals at the town hall meeting and online, citing them as poor decisions that do not consider all community impacts.

Macon resident Alicia Parks told The Telegraph she’s concerned about how the closing of Porter Elementary could impact student transportation, school culture and class sizes.

“This community is too large for them to close Porter. Classes are already pushed to the max,” Parks wrote on social media. “Our children and grandchildren will definitely not get the time per child that a teacher needs to help them. This isn’t the answer (board of education). Try another. The kids are the ones that matter here.”

Under the district’s recent video on school consolidation updates, someone commented, “I do not like this plan. There is nothing wrong with Porter. You raised our taxes and now want to take away the only school my children have ever known…There is no need whatsoever to consolidate Porter.”

In the summer of 2024, the district began exploring school consolidation as a key strategy for future budget planning.

Bibb County Schools’ consolidation review drives decision-making at a time when the district is currently facing significantly low attendance and student enrollment, which causes a decrease in state funding.

The district has also considered important factors such as facility age and condition, enrollment utilization and available school programs to determine the proposals for potential closures.

The district’s next steps include taking community feedback to develop and consider non-consolidation options, BCSD Deputy Superintendent Katika Lovett said in the video.

Bibb County Schools will also work to finalize data analysis that will include academic programs, financial data and human resources data.

Lovett said the analysis will help the district to make informed decisions and present final recommendations to the board of education in March.

The Bibb County Board of Education will make a determination on school closures at a later date, Lovett added.