Better Emotional Outcomes: K-8 schools provide a stable environment, reducing emotional stress and improving student well-being. (Data Footnote: Research shows K-8 models often yield better emotional and social outcomes for children compared to traditional middle school transitions.)

Improved Educational Outcomes: K-8 schools often demonstrate superior academic performance and fewer instances of bullying. (Data Footnote: Studies indicate K-8 models support higher academic achievement and lower bullying rates.)

High Teacher Tenure and Achievement: Blaine boasts strong teacher retention and high academic performance. (Data Footnote: High teacher retention correlates with better student outcomes and overall school success.)

Desirable School Model: Blaine has a waitlist of 72 students showing its model is effective and in demand. (Data Footnote: Waiting lists are indicators of high demand and successful school programs.)

Public-to-Public Partnerships: Blaine’s proximity to key community facilities enhances its value through significant public-to-public partnerships. The school’s integration with the Magnolia Community Center, Mounger Pool’s swim program, and the local library for field trips create vital community connections. These partnerships provide critical resources and programs that benefit students beyond traditional classroom settings. (Data Footnote: Effective public-to-public partnerships, such as those between schools and community centers or libraries, significantly enhance educational and extracurricular opportunities for students.)

Public-to-Private Partnerships: Blaine also benefits from strong public-to-private partnerships, such as collaborations with local businesses and patronage of both students and families for those local businesses. These partnerships support a well-rounded educational experience and strengthen community ties. (Data Footnote: Public-to-private partnerships contribute to enriched educational experiences and community support for schools.)

Catharine Blaine sits in the heart of Magnolia's business district and community. It is attached to the community center and abuts Mounger pool, playfields, tennis courts, and a playgrounds and local businesses. It is hard to imagine a worse location for a shuttered building.

Cost of Closure: Closing Blaine would lead to an empty building in the community center, potentially causing business decline and a significant gap in community services. (Data Footnote: Vacant public buildings can lead to decreased property values and local business deterioration.)

Financial Waste: Recent renovations at Magnolia Community Center, linked to Blaine, would be wasted. (Data Footnote: Closing schools after significant recent investments results in financial losses.)

Crowding: Closing Blaine and reallocating students to Magnolia and Lawton Elementary will push those schools to 110% of their capacity. Research shows that large class sizes can negatively impact student achievement and overall educational quality. Adding more students to already overcrowded schools will exacerbate these issues, leading to increased strain on teachers and resources and potentially diminishing the learning experience for all students.

Increased Costs and Logistical Challenges: Magnolia currently faces a shortage of bus routes and drivers, which will significantly increase operational costs and complicate logistics if students are relocated to McClure. Recently, Blaine families were removed from bus routes due to overcrowding, and there were instances of students having to sit on the floor of buses because of the lack of available seating. (Data Footnote: Shortages in bus services and limited routes contribute to elevated operational costs and logistical difficulties.)

Previous Closures: Past closures led to reopening schools due to poor outcomes. (Data Footnote: Historical closures often result in re-opening schools when the anticipated benefits do not materialize.)

Impact on Local Businesses: Closing Blaine could negatively impact nearby businesses and local traffic. (Data Footnote: Schools play a critical role in community stability and local economic health.)

Academic and Emotional Disruption: Changing schools mid-cycle can impair academic performance and increase emotional stress. This disruption is particularly concerning given the additional challenges students faced during the pandemic.(Data Footnote: School transitions can negatively affect student performance and psychological well-being.)

Budget Shortfall Solutions: A targeted fundraising effort could mitigate immediate financial challenges and allow for more strategic decisions rather than broad closures. (Data Footnote: Fundraising can provide time for strategic property sales and more thoughtful decision-making.)

Impact on Enrollment: School closures may drive families to private schools, exacerbating enrollment declines and affecting public school funding. (Data Footnote: School closures often lead to increased private school enrollment, impacting public school budgets.)

Governance Issues: The presence of a non-elected School Board member raises concerns about fairness in decision-making. (Data Footnote: Non-elected board members can affect the perceived legitimacy and fairness of school decisions.)