Facing Declining Enrollment, Rising Expenses Southfield School District Announces Closures, Mergers

SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - The Southfield Board of Education has voted 4-3 to approve implementation of a major initiative that will reconfigure the district. The plan comes as the district struggles with declining enrollment, rising expenses and shrinking revenue.

District spokesperson Jacqueline Robinson tells WWJ about some of the bigger changes coming to the district.

"We are merging our two ... comprehensive high schools into one location," said Robinson. "We are closing two schools; (Morris) Adler Elementary and Brace Laderle K-8 and we are locating University High School Academy U-Prep McArthur into one campus on Southfield-Lathrup's facility."

Another part of the new plan would allow older students to earn an associates degree in college while completing their high school education.

Just one year ago the Southfield Board of Education approved spending $1.7 million on e-books and instructional materials and $1.8 million for technology upgrades for the 2014/15 school year.

The e-books, iPads,  Apple TVs and ceiling mounted projectors were among the items teachers planned to use in the classroom and replacing textbooks for middle and high school students.