In an email to families Waverly Shell Rock Superintendent David Hill has attempted to squash rumors that Shell Rock Elementary will be closed down. The rumors ignited after the March 9th School Board meeting in which a discussion took place about how to prepare for the future in which enrollment will be down compared to past years. Nearly all public schools in the area have seen enrollment drop thanks to Education Savings Accounts, which provide public money for children to attend private schools, and some large graduating classes have been replaced by smaller preschool classes within the district. Hill says the rumors stem from discussion of building closures that were purely theoretical, noting it as a common way districts across the state address significant expenditure gaps. No proposal to close a building was made or considered. Hill provided some stats for next school year at Shell Rock. There are currently 11 students registered for Kindergarten. Hill gave his reassurance that Kindergarten will be offered at Shell Rock Elementary, along with all grades through 4th grade. The total enrollment at Shell Rock for the Fall is 79 students. The district is planning to eliminate two elementary teaching positions, one at Prairie West and one at North Ridge.
