Dayton Public Schools is facing a challenging decision as it considers laying off support staff primarily working with recent immigrant students at The International School. This school, located on the district’s west side, caters to students who have recently arrived in the United States and are learning English.
Enrollment Decline and Financial Concerns
The potential layoffs are driven by a significant decline in the immigrant population, a trend noted since the election of President Donald Trump. The school board has twice placed the issue on its agenda, only to remove it without making a final decision. The International School, which will serve kindergarten through eighth grade students next year, has seen its enrollment drop from 500 students in the 2022-2023 school year to approximately 346 students in 2024-2025.
Superintendent David Lawrence explained that the reconfiguration of The International School necessitates fewer staff focused on English Language Learners. This change is part of a broader district reconfiguration aimed at addressing overcrowding in the northwest quadrant and financial constraints. Dayton Public Schools has been spending more than it is bringing in, relying on reserve funds that are projected to run out by the 2028-2029 school year. Failure to maintain a minimum reserve could lead to a state takeover.
Reconfiguration and Future Plans
In response to these challenges, the district has announced a reconfiguration of its schools. This includes adding seventh and eighth grade options to certain elementary schools to retain more students and moving Mound Street Academy to Jackson Center due to building repairs. The new school structure will see various schools serving different grade levels, with The International School at Residence Park serving as a K-8 institution.
The district is also considering a levy for the November ballot to address its financial shortfall. Meanwhile, programs like Preschool Promise continue to support families by helping them find and fund preschool options for their children.
Original reporting: Dayton Daily News — read the source article.
