Five St. Paul schools to close, others to merge under district proposal

Five schools would close and remain empty and many programs would be merged amid sweeping changes being proposed for St. Paul Public Schools.

School board members were briefed Monday on recommendations that take into account declining enrollment and a desire to ensure all students have access to a "well-rounded education" — most significantly, officials say, specialist teachers in areas like art, music and science.

The Envision SPPS plan, if approved by the board in November, would leave vacant four elementary sites — Highwood Hills, John A. Johnson, Jackson and Wellstone — plus LEAP High School. But there are many other changes, too, and when taken together they could affect 2,949 students, many of whom would find themselves in different buildings.

https://www.startribune.com/five-st-paul-schools-to-close-others-to-merge-under-district-proposal/600105665/