Mid-Del Schools To Close 2 Elementary Schools; Redistricting To Be Determined Next Month

The Mid-Del Public Schools will close two elementary schools after the spring semester. 

The district's board of education voted to close Highland Park and Steed elementary schools at its meeting Monday night. 

Redistricting the students and staff of each school will start immediately. 

Boundary realignment meetings are set for Dec. 15 and Jan. 5. The district will inform families of the changes to school assignments by the end of January, said Mid-Del Public Schools Superintendent Rick Cobb. 

Earlier this year, the district commissioned a report by the Oklahoma Office of Educational Quality and Accountability. It found that about 48% of elementary classroom space in Mid-Del Public Schools is not used and recommended the district close four elementary schools. 

“When we have empty classrooms in newer, more modern, more up-to-date buildings, you do have to ask the question if it makes sense,” Cobb said on Monday. 

The staff at Highland Park and Steed will be reassigned to other schools in the district. 

Although the MDPS does not plan to remove any teaching positions, Lori Burris said she expects some teachers to quit because of the closures. 

“They have relationships with these communities and with these parents and with these kids. And now they’re going to be split up,” said Burris, who is the head of the Mid-Del Association of Classroom Teachers. “I just feel like there is more we could have done.” 

The district will announce staff reassignments by the end of February. 

Read More: Mid-Del School District Considers Closing Two Elementary Schools After Enrollment Drop