Falcon Beach School Closure Review. Research 87-01.

N

62

Elementary Secondary Education; Enrollment; Enrollment Projections; Foreign Countries; Public Schools; School Closing; School Community Relationship; School Demography; School Size; Small Schools; Student Transportation

978-0-7711-0656-9

Falcon Beach School is a small school experiencing declining school enrollment and increasing operational costs. In February, 1987, Falcon Beach School was announced as a candidate for closure. The Planning and Research Branch of Manitoba Education conducted an economic and social analysis of the school operations. This research report provides results of the analysis of these factors and examines the potential impacts associated with alternate methods of education delivery. A profile of the Falcon/West Hawk community and its relationship and commitment to the Falcon Beach School is presented. The concerns of parents, residents, businesses, employing government agencies, and teachers are listed as data considered in the closure study. Six options are given as alternate education plans for this community with accompanying projected costs. The major conclusions are: (1) enrollment is expected to increase; (2) costs associated with providing education to the Falcon/West Hawk students are projected to increase; (3) by 1991, it will have cost the Department more to have closed the school to and have transported students to neighboring schools than it would to have left the school open; (4) school closure will potentially negatively impact the community; and (5) school closure would result in the Falcon/West Hawk elementary students having to undertake a 1.5-hour bus ride to another school. Suggestions for increasing efficiency of the school are given if the school is to remain open. This report contains 22 references. (ALL)

1989

ED303291