BCISD considers closing Shady Grove

December 18, 2012, 9:00 pm by Brenda Young

A sizeable community crowd gathered in the Burnet Consolidate Independent School District (BCISD) board room Monday night to hear a recommendation from Superintendent Keith McBurnett to board members to close the Shady Grove Elementary campus.

McBurnett outlined the advantages of closing the campus that serves second and third graders within the city.

The superintendent stressed the need to balance the district’s loss in funding due to decreased student enrollment and state financial assistance. A recent demographics study by the district showed it has lost 213 students since the 2008-2009 school year, resulting in an approximate $1 million deficit.

The district is expected to lose 63 more students in the next three years.

"So, how did we get to tonight? The leadership team and administration have been discussing a lot about a consolidation plan, and on Nov. 30, plans were presented to the board,” McBurnett said. "The challenges of decreased enrollment and lack of funding have been a major focus.”

For more of this story, see Wednesday's Burnet Bulletin.