Bloomington Public Schools to hold public hearing on proposed school closures

The Bloomington School Board will hold a public hearing on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, to discuss the proposed closure of Pond Center and Southwood Center at the conclusion of the 2024-25 school year. The public hearing is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. at the Educational Services Center, 1350 West 106th Street.

Individuals wishing to speak at the public hearing are required to register in advance with the Office of the Superintendent by completing the form below.

Public Hearing Speaker Registration

The hearing will focus on the necessity and practicality of closing the two schools due to declining enrollment, financial limitations and the consolidation of school programs. The public meeting is open to community members, staff and families to attend and provide feedback regarding the proposed closures.

The hearing is part of the district’s multi-year Right Sizing the Budget (RSB) process to address budget shortfalls, align financial resources with the district’s strategic priorities and ensure long-term fiscal sustainability. The School Board approved a $5 million target for reductions for the 2025-26 school year at its Sept. 23 meeting.

The district is proposing to repurpose Washburn Elementary School into an early childhood center. Under this plan, beginning in fall 2025, early childhood programs from Pond, Southwood and other district locations will be relocated to the renamed Washburn Early Learning Center.

The School Board will host a community listening session on Oct. 14 to gather additional feedback. A final decision on the reductions will be made at the Oct. 28 School Board meeting.

For more information about the proposed closures and the RSB process, visit bit.ly/bps-rsb.