In a significant restructuring move, the Jackson Board of Education (BOE) has approved the closure and sale of Christa McAuliffe Middle School, located at 35 S. Hope Chapel Road, as part of an effort to address the district’s ongoing financial struggles. The decision, made at tonight’s BOE meeting, comes in response to severe budget shortfalls largely attributed to the S-2 legislation, which has drastically reduced state aid to some school districts.
Under the newly approved reorganization plan, Liberty High School will serve as the district’s only high school, while Memorial High School will house 7th and 8th graders. The Goetz School will now accommodate 5th and 6th graders, and McAuliffe will shut its doors permanently.
This latest closure follows the district’s earlier decision to shut down and sell the Rosenauer school building, which was sold for $13.1 million in an effort to generate much-needed revenue.
The move also comes as neighboring Lakewood BOE grapples with its own financial troubles, announcing the planned closure and sale of the Ella G. Clarke school building and two additional campuses. However, Lakewood’s financial struggles stem from different causes, unrelated to the S-2 funding cuts impacting Jackson.