PORT ANGELES — School district officials say the next step in a Budget Review Committee recommendation to close an elementary school is to determine if six such schools are needed.
The committee recommended the closure of a small elementary school last week along with 36 other budget-cutting measures.
The proposed budget cuts being studied also include the possible closure of Choice High School, 924 W. Ninth St., behind the old Lincoln School.
Choice is the district’s alternative education high school, providing “supportive educational opportunities” to students who have previously dropped out or are at-risk of failing within the traditional high school environment.
If closed, Choice’s 160 students would go to Port Angeles High School.
School officials say the budget shortfall is due, in part, to declining enrollment.
School districts receive state funding based on enrollment, among other factors.
District officials said Friday that elementary school enrollment has declined since 1990 when there were 2,451 young students in city elementary schools.
They predict elementary enrollment will continue to decline through 2007.
