Hedley ISD plans to drop junior high and high school classes next fall and become a Pre-K through 6th grade district, according to a letter parents received today.
The letter states that a formal resolution will be adopted by the school board at a called meeting next week.
“This decision was not made lightly, but it is one that has been approaching for some time,” Superintendent Tracey Langford said in the letter. “Over the past several years, declining student enrollment and the ongoing challenge of hiring and retaining highly qualified teachers have placed the district in a difficult position regarding the future of our students and staff.”
Langford told the Enterprise that enrollment this year was below the threshold of 90, but the bigger problem has been the school’s Average Daily Attendance or ADA, which is what state funding is based on.
“We’ve had an enrollment of 85, but we’ve also had absenses and our ADA this year has been 74.1,” Langford said. “Our projected enrollment for next year is 52 for Pre-K through 12.”
Langford said some families have moved out of the district, and some teachers have left and taken their children with them. Hedley also has had 27 transfer students from Clarendon and 11 from Memphis this year. Some of those aren’t coming back next year, and some students are going home school, she said.
Going to Pre-K through 6 may also be difficult for the school. Langford told the Enterprise the adminstration currently projects having about 30 elementary students, but the school really needs more than 60 to remain viable. The 30 known elementary students doesn’t take into account the fact that some elementary students may go to other districts when older siblings can’t attend Hedley.
Langford said she is is going to be working with neighboring districts to determine the best fit for district consolidation of grades 7 through 12.
“While this is not an easy process, it is, unfortunately, the only viable option at this time,” she wrote parents. “As we prepare for what will be the final high school graduation at Hedley ISD, this moment is certainly bittersweet for everyone connected to the traditions, community, and student body that make our school so special.”
Langford told the Enterprise the board will have a difficult time making the final decision next week as the district is so close to the hearts of the trustees. The date and time of next week’s called meeting has not yet been scheduled.
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