Galtier Elementary School headed for possible closure in 2017

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Two years after “major renovation” Superintendent Valeria Silva says, “We cannot run small schools anymore”

By JANE MCCLURE

Galtier Elementary School families and supporters are fighting to keep their building open. Children, some dressed as superheroes, and their parents attended the Apr. 26 St. Paul School Board meeting to make their case to save the school at 1317 Charles Ave. They also packed an Apr. 21 community meeting at the school.

Galtier 3275But, barring a change in heart by school district leaders, Galtier likely faces closure after the 2016-2017 academic year. That angers and frustrates parents who have worked tirelessly to bring new students to the school, with fundraising, door-knocking, and other outreach.

Photo right: Andrew Collins, assistant superintendent for elementary schools at St. Paul Public Schools. addresses parents, teachers and community members at an open meeting Apr. 21 on Galtier’s future. (Photo by Kyle Mianulli)

Galtier was extensively renovated two years ago, but many parents say the district officials aren’t doing enough to promote the school. They also contend that the school district is focused more on wealthy neighborhoods and their needs, and not enough on schools that serve an ethnically and economically diverse population. Galtier’s enrollment is 89 percent children of color, with 88 percent of children receiving free or reduced-price lunches.

Galtier parents asked the School Board to hold off on a plan to expand St. Anthony Park Elementary, which is scheduled for a $14 million expansion. But the expansion was part of the $484 million facilities plan the board approved on a 5-2 vote Apr. 26. The Galtier parents also asked that Hamline Elementary be considered for a magnet and for the early education facilities that some school district officials have suggested could go into Galtier.

One stumbling block for Galtier is busing. Many neighborhood families opt to send children to other schools including St. Anthony Park, which has almost 90 students on a waiting list for fall. Galtier parents worry that the planned expansion will draw away more pupils. District maps show more Hamline-Midway families choosing St. Anthony Park over Galtier.

Superintendent Valeria Silva made references to a possible closure of Galtier. She said that the renovations there two years ago hadn’t attracted enough families. “We cannot run small schools anymore. As much as we would love to, we cannot open the doors. We don’t have enough dollars.”

Galtier _3148Photo left: A packed room at Galtier Elementary Apr. 21, as everyone heard that the school might close after the 2016-17 school year. (Photo by Kyle Mianulli)

“I think Galtier is a nicer building than the look of St. Anthony Park, but the parents say no,” Silva added.

Families from Galtier and Hamline schools worked with district staff for many months to recruit students for the Hamline Midway neighborhood schools. While Hamline enrollment is on an upswing, Galtier enrollment remains low. The joint recruitment effort is on hold, although school district officials contend they continue to promote both schools.

Galtier parents don’t want to merge with Hamline, which will gain more space in fall 2017 when the building’s Jie Ming Chinese Immersion School moves to the Highland Park neighborhood. Some Galtier parents have said they’ll take their children out of St. Paul Public Schools if Galtier closes.

At the community meeting, Galtier Principal Shawn Stebbins indicated that Galtier would need to attract at least 100 more children to stay open.

Selina Gante has two sons in kindergarten at Galtier. Her family loves the recently renovated building and the school staff, and she is outraged about the prospect of the school closing. “Why would you do this to a group of children who do not have enough stability in their lives?”

“There are so many reasons to tell everybody why this school is a gem and district doesn’t take advantage of it,” she said. “This school is a safe and welcoming place for my kids and many others. What I’d like to say to the school board is why would you give us something so wonderful and then you take it away from us? Why would you pull the rug out from under us?”

“We as people of color have been disenfranchised for so long, in terms of the education system,” Gante said. “It’s just frustrating.”

The Galtier issue has also drawn in the St. Paul Chapter of the NAACP, which urged school board members not to close Galtier and give the community more time to attract students.

Clayton and Kirstin Howatt are also Galtier parents. “We’re not going to give up,” Clayton Howatt said. “But keeping the school open will be an uphill battle.” He said that indicating that the school could close isn’t helping recruiting efforts.

Gante noted that some parents, worried about the school’s uncertain future, are already looking at other options. Jackie Turner, who leads community engagement for the school district, said 17 Galtier preschool parents have chosen to send their students elsewhere for kindergarten in the fall.

“This is the first time that I have ever thought of leaving the district,” said Kristin Howatt. She went K-12 through St. Paul Public Schools. “If Galtier closes, my kids won’t be in St. Paul Public Schools any more. I have lost trust that kids matter.”

The school district estimates put 144 students K-5 at Galtier for fall, plus 60 preschoolers. The building can hold 469 pupils.

Galtier was a science, math, and technology magnet before becoming a neighborhood school again. Galtier and other schools were affected five years ago after the school district made sweeping changes to schools and school choice as part of the “Strong Schools, Strong Communities” effort. Some schools have grown while some neighborhood schools have suffered.

Hamline Elementary parents are watching on the sidelines. Hamline Elementary has a capacity of 583 students and a projected enrollment of 269 K-5 and 40 preschoolers for fall. After Jie Ming moves there would be room for Galtier students.

Hamline parent Jessica Kopp said parents there enjoyed working with Galtier parents on promoting neighborhood schools. “We are heartbroken for the Galtier community because we understand what it’s like to wonder and worry about the future of a place you love,” she said. “The Hamline community wondered and worried about their future from early May 2015 until the end of February 2016—that’s a long time to have a worried heart, and it’s a long time to work so hard for something and be unsure of the outcome. The Hamline Midway Community Schools process worked well for Hamline, and if it didn’t work for Galtier, we hope they have more time and the opportunity and support to become a permanent fixture in the Hamline Midway neighborhood.

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