Batavia considers school consolidation

BATAVIA, NY (WIVB) - The city of Batavia is considering consolidating several schools in preparing the district's preliminary budget.

A former elementary school which is now the Administration building is up for sale as the city School District tightens its fiscal belt against uncertain state aid.

Washington School has an asking price of $595,000. The 1.5-acre site includes the two-story brick building and a large one-story metal building.

The board made the following recommendations:

• Selling the Administration Building and relocating staff to available spaces around the District
•  Utilizing the Jackson Elementary building for students in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and grade one
• Utilizing John Kennedy for students in grades two through four
• Placing grade five students at the middle school
• Revising the transportation policy so that all K-8 students who live farther than one mile from their school would be eligible for free bussing
•  Maintaining the Robert Morris building, making its classrooms and offices available for rental or lease

The district is looking at the  advantages of a “cluster model” for schools in which all students in a specific grade level are in the same building.  They feel this provides a more focused and deeper instructional plan.

It can also mean a better balance of students with disabilities and economically disadvantaged students among classrooms.