ALLEGAN, Mich. — Allegan Public Schools is recommending the board of education reconfigure its elementary schools.
The planwould create three kindergarten through 5th grade buildings, including Dawson, Pine Trails, and West Ward. The fourth school, North Ward Elementary, would be turned into an early childhood center starting with the 2020-2021 school year.
Superintendent James Antoine says in his 21 years in Allegan there has always been a shortage of opportunities for kids before Kindergarten, and he hopes this reconfiguration will change that.
There are three parent meetings planned at the Allegan High School Conference Center starting Tuesday, January 28, at 4 p.m. There are also two more meetings planned: January 31 at 9 a.m. and February 3 at 7 p.m.
Antoine says reconfiguring schools and creating an early childhood center will benefit the community without closing the building, plus raise student achievement by targeting the youngest learners, balance class sizes, improve students' social skills while attracting more families to the district.
