School Restructuring

A combination of declining enrollment, aging facilities, and national budget cuts is causing local government officials across the country to consider school consolidation and closure. Drawing from 25 years of change-management experience in the public sector, PCG provides local governments with a proven methodology, and analytical and communication tools for successful school restructuring and improved educational outcomes of students. Based on objective data analysis and clearly defined priorities of local governments PCG helps identify schools for closure and consolidation. PCG supports local officials in planning communication with the community members and implementing the restructuring decisions.

Before engaging in a restructuring process the local officials should assess possible school closure within the broader policy context of school reform. Local leaders will need to ask whether closing a school contributes to the reform goals of the school system. PCG initiates this process by engaging local community leaders in a dialogue about identifying priorities and setting goals. In order for the local government to make well-informed decisions on behalf of the community, it is important to have a robust decision-making foundation. PCG can help decision-makers review or document baseline data elements such as how many available and open seats does each school have, to understand the current state of schools and to determine whether the ongoing investment of human and fiscal resources is likely to produce gains in student achievement.

Once the baseline data is reviewed and goals and priorities clearly articulated, the local leaders need clear and transparent evidence to support their decisions for school closures. Examples of criteria which may be used to make school closure decisions include demographic trends, educational program and performance, facility condition and utilization, school financial performance, geographical location, and other relevant factors. PCG assists local officials in collecting and analyzing wide range of data regarding the organization and performance of schools in order to make sound school restructuring decisions. At the same time PCG initiates a dialogue with local community members to ensure that the restructuring process is focused on ensuring the best education opportunities for students which helps to diffuse objections from parents and other stakeholders.

Once the data has been collected and analyzed, PCG facilitates decision-making session with the committee to create tiers of schools to consider for closing and consolidation based on weighted criteria. The list can be vetted with the board and the public. In order to rank schools, PCG develops tools and reports to provide comprehensive and transparent analysis tied to established criteria and decision-making framework. Based on the results of the analysis final recommendations for school closures and consolidations are made and are clearly communicated to stakeholders. The review and decision-making process is publicly shared. This helps manage information about school closure as well as parent and community concern about next steps.

Communication is an essential component of a school restructuring plan. When implementing a reform agenda that is controversial, such as the restructuring of a school system and closing schools, it is critical to effectively plan and manage the messages and how they are delivered. PCG has experience working with school districts and government agencies to develop and implement communication plans that are focused, targeted and multi-faceted. In doing so, the messaging remains consistent and stakeholders are reached a number of times and in different ways. Working with the local government and the restructuring committee PCG prepares and implements comprehensive communication plans. The plans are tailored to the needs of the project but include key components that PCG has found important through our years of working with clients.

Once school closure decisions have been made and announced, successful school restructuring continues and includes a detailed, collaborative implementation phase to help students, families, and staff affected by school closure need personalized attention to manage the process well. PCG provides administrators, faculty, and staff with a step-by-step guidance about their assignments. This approach to smooth transition applies not only to the closing school but to the receiving school as well. PCG facilitates an ongoing dialogue between the restructuring committee and the higher performing schools to ensure there is sufficient capacity to receive students, and that faculty staff can be absorbed into the system as appropriate.