PRINEVILLE, OR -- Crook County School District officials are looking for public input on proposed elementary school boundary changes, as they prepare to close 2 schools and open a new one. Jim Bates, principal at Cecil Sly elementary in Prineville says the changes are the best use of new bond money, as the district moves to invest in remodeling one school and building another. "Barnes Butte is on schedule to be completed in August, and we’ll seat 630-640 students. And, we’re going from three elementary schools to two larger elementary schools," Bates tells KBND News.
Ochoco Elementary will close in June, and students from Cecil Sly will switch to Crooked River Elementary while their school undergoes renovations. Bates says Crews will improve security, increase the number of classrooms "This formerly was a middle school, and we’ve got a large section of room down what used to be a former shop. And that’ll be remodeled and turned into kindergarten classrooms." Crooked River Elementary will then close in June of 2016. "I’m your principal at Barnes Butte elementary. And Cheri Rasmussen currently is at Crooked River, she’ll remain at Crooked River for next year, and then she’ll be your principal when we re-open the Cecil Sly remodel."
School district officials are now accepting public input on proposed boundary changes, which will effect nearly every elementary student and staff in the district. Bates says, " We’re very interested in community input. We’ve shared some preliminary boundary moves and we’re in active discussion right now on that topic. It’s our goal to do the best job we can for as many people as we can and then be flexible beyond that." For more information on boundary changes and details on how to provide input, click HERE.
