Punxsutawney’s school board considers moving third-graders to middle school to solve its enrollment crisis.

We have more on how it could save the district money.

Under the plan, school board members say elementary schools would be K-2 only, while third grade would go to the current middle school building.

“If we do this plan, probably in the future we will be closing some schools and therefore you will not have the upkeep,” says board member Elaine Muto.

Muto says when her kids graduated, there were around 250 in the class, but in 20 years things have changed.

Online state enrollment data for last year shows around 150 kids per grade.

Fellow board member Ed McGinnis says a plan was made back then for closing schools, and the newest plan that would also send 7th-graders to a “junior-senior high school” is a continuation of that.

“Right now, with having as many elementary buildings as we have, we duplicate services and resources serving a smaller number of students, than we can more efficiently do,” says McGinnis.

Board minutes show this would use the two main buildings closer to capacity, and staff can be eliminated.

The middle school would be re-named to elementary and the others to “primary centers.” There are six elementary schools now.

“Maybe there’s 10 to 12 children in classrooms and we just feel that we’re wasting our teachers,” says Muto.

“In part, the reason that we still have as many elementary schools as we have is because of quite frankly, the politics involved in being on a school board,” says McGinnis.

Muto says the schools in worst condition could go first. Board members say they’re trying to watch out for tax dollars.

“We are having to take from our extra funds which shouldn’t be, and then you end up with nothing in reserve,” says Muto.

“I support it. I’m troubled that we’re going to have a few buildings with less than 70 students,” says McGinnis.

Board members say it’s possible the plan could go into effect for next school year, but so far they’re only discussing it.  The district has more than 2,000 students, according to state data.