Silver Schools board approves plan to close two elementary schools, move sixth grade to middle school

The Silver Consolidated School District board voted Aug. 25 to accept a consolidation feasibility study and to close Sixth Street and Jose Barrios elementary schools for the 2026–27 school year, authorize submission of a reorganization waiver to the New Mexico Public Education Department and begin planning for repurposing or disposal of the facilities.

The board’s action, presented by Superintendent William Hawkins, follows a yearlong study included in the district’s facilities planning process that found excess capacity, declining enrollment and significant deferred maintenance needs at the two sites. "These schools are not just buildings. They are places filled with generations of learning, laughter, memories, and community pride," Hawkins told the board as he urged a careful transition and community engagement on legacy and reuse.

The study reported that the district’s four in-town elementary schools serve about 993 students in buildings built for roughly 1,659 students, operating at about 60 percent utilization with an estimated 666 open seats. Hawkins said Sixth Street and Jose Barrios together require more than $8 million in deferred maintenance; closing them would save the district an estimated $414,000 annually in operating costs and eliminate nearly $9 million in capital needs. The administration estimated combined savings on deferred maintenance and operations could reach $10 million over five years.

The feasibility work examined two models — traditional K–5 and a grade-banded model — and found both buildings could be accommodated in the district’s remaining schools with boundary adjustments. The study committee recommended closing the two schools by 89 percent of participants, supported moving sixth grade to the middle school by 96 percent and showed an 81 percent initial preference for grade banding; the administration recommended a traditional K–5 configuration with boundary changes to balance enrollment.

The board motion authorized the superintendent to prepare and submit the required reorganization waiver to the New Mexico Public Education Department and to begin planning for repurposing or disposal of the two sites in a manner the administration described as intended to "preserve an the identity of these campuses through commemorative displays, naming of common areas, or by incorporating architectural or symbolic elements into future district projects."

Board members said the decision was difficult but supported by data and multiple committee reviews. Board member McMillan thanked the administration and committees for a “very thorough investigation and study,” and board members emphasized plans to hold events during the final year to celebrate each school’s history. Superintendent Hawkins said the district will provide families and staff a timeline and next-step guidance within 48 hours following the board vote, and principals will lead site-level conversations about celebrations and transition details.

What the board approved is the administration’s recommended path; Hawkins noted implementation requires state approval. The superintendent cited Rule 6.29.1.9 NMAC and said a formal reorganization waiver to the New Mexico Public Education Department will be submitted as required before any reorganization takes effect.

The board took the vote after discussion and community input during presentations and approved the recommendation in a motion moved by Mister Khan and seconded by Mister McMillan. The motion passed with board members recording affirmative votes.