BIBB COUNTY, Ga. — Bibb County Schools is in phase one of their plan to decide whether to close and consolidate some schools next year.
According to the school district, enrollment is dropping and most of their schools are below the state's recommended base size. That means Bibb could lose some federal funding for those schools.
Deputy Superintendent Katika Lovett is heading up the consolidation effort.
She said the district plans to collect reactions on possible closings from its Steering Committee and the public during school board meetings and town halls. Based on those opinions and the help of a project manager, she'll make a recommendation to the school board next March.
"Should a recommendation move forward for consolidation, there may be a change next year,” Lovett said. “If a recommendation does not move forward, there may not be a change. But we do know that we are going to work diligently to put a positive recommendation in front of the board so that we can have something that increases our financial efficiency."
This wouldn't be the first time Bibb County consolidates schools. John R. Lewis Elementary School is a combined school that opened a few years ago.
"We haven't made a determination around a school, but I'm sure that low enrollment will play a part in the recommendations that we'll look at along with several other things," Lovett said.
But not everyone is rooting for changes. Paula Powell has two children in Bibb County Schools. She said she feels like consolidating schools will mean less one-on-one attention for students.
"If the public school system keeps consolidating schools, then kids are going to get to falling behind, behind. So, at this point, I value my kids' education," she said.
According to the district, phase two of the process will start this fall and include collecting enrollment numbers and community focus groups to involve more opinions.
Lovett said the district will determine what happens to the vacated school buildings after a final consolidation decision. You can follow the process on the Bibb County District website and social media pages.
They also encourage people to attend their public hearings, town halls and complete future surveys.