Decatur Public Schools holds community feedback session on topics like enrollment, Dennis Lab

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — Thursday night, Decatur Public Schools leaders presented teachers, students, parents, and community members different scenarios for how to address various problems facing the district over the next five years.

"We're looking at how we create the most efficiency with the square footage that we have and how do we create the most equitable spaces for all of our learners," said Dr. Jay Marino, an assistant superintendent with the district. "So, we are trying to readjust for our current student enrollment. We want to make sure whatever we do, we have a good understanding of how the community feels."

The biggest issue facing Decatur Public Schools is enrollment. DPS projections show that by 2032, the district could be down to about 6,200 students.

Dr. Marino said, "We're looking at models that include going to one high school, models that show us maintaining two high schools, models that show us with a true middle school, and models that show us with no middle school at all. What do we do with pre-kindergarten? Is it a standalone building like it is today or do we integrate it into the elementary school?"

One community member was still searching for answers on Dennis Lab Schools.

Mark Glause, who has three kids in elementary school, said, "They had the campus at Dennis with two separate buildings which was odd in its own situation why that was ever a thing. But now here we are in a temporary setting with no answers long-term."

DPS61 officials say any decision is on a 3-year timeline.

Feedback will be gathered and brought to a subcommittee that will help decide which plan to move forward with.