Spokane Schools, Hawaii Seek Consolidation Amid Enrollment Declines

Spokane Public Schools (SPS) is planning to consolidate its administrative building with the Community School to save costs and improve educational spaces, aiming for up to $5 million in savings over five years. The first phase of this plan includes moving both facilities to a new location while generating additional revenue through the sale or lease of unused buildings. This initiative is linked to the Together Spokane Initiative, which involves a bond expected to be voted on in November, necessary for retrofitting the new space. Meanwhile, in Hawaii, state officials are considering closing under-enrolled elementary schools due to a 13% drop in school enrollment over the past two decades, with projections for further declines. The Hawaii Department of Education is set to present its plans for potential school consolidations to the Board of Education, focusing on elementary schools operating below two-thirds capacity. Both districts are exploring consolidation as a strategy to enhance efficiency and address budget constraints amidst declining student populations.