BIG SPRING, TX — Big Spring ISD will see changes next school year with the closure of two campuses – Big Spring Intermediate, which currently houses 5th and 6th grade students, and Kentwood Early Childhood Center, which houses only pre-k students.
According to BSISD Superintendent Jay McWilliams, the buildings have major issues and are not compliant with the American Disabilities Act (ADA). BSI was built in 1958 and Kentwood was built in 1962, if renovations were made to update the building they would have to become ADA compliant. Instead of updating these buildings, BSISD will reconfigure their district and make the most of the space they have available. Moss, Marcy, Washington, and Goliad Elementary Schools were all built as a result of a bond that was approved in 2012. The schools are approximately 10 years old and still in great shape.
McWilliams told KBest News that the district had already begun discussing the possibility of reconfiguration for the purpose of accountability in order to vertically align the district for the benefit of students and staff.
“We had been discussing since third and fourth grade are the tested subjects, they’re the first two years the kids are tested. Wouldn’t it be nice to put those two on the same campus? Possibly start putting first and second grade together to where kids and parents stay on campuses for at least two years before they change, and vertical alignment of all these campuses would be better, and we would utilize our space better,” said McWilliams.
He went on to say that although two campuses will be closed, everyone that is employed with the district now will continue to have a position with the district. Plus, the schools have enough room to accommodate the change.
Next year, pre-k and kindergarten students will be at Moss Elementary, 1st and 2nd grade will be at Marcy Elementary, 3rd and 4th grade will be at Washington Elementary, and 5th and 6th grade will be at Goliad Elementary. Big Spring Junior High will still serve 7th and 8th grade students and Big Spring High School will house 9th grade through 12th grade.
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