During its meeting on February 27, 2024, the Warren County Board of Education approved the closure of Mariam Boyd Elementary, Northside Elementary, and Vaughan Elementary Schools effective June 30, 2026, or when one or more new school facilities are available to serve those students, whichever occurs later.
This means that the schools will not close until after the 2025-26 school year, at the earliest. Board members voted unanimously to close the schools because of the conditions of the buildings and operational systems.
In the two months prior to the vote, there were community meetings at each of the affected elementary schools, an opportunity for public feedback through an online form, and a public hearing before the February 27, 2024 school board meeting.
Independent Facility Condition Assessments conducted at all three elementary schools show the facilities are in poor condition and disrepair due to years of deferred maintenance, including the facilities’ structural integrity, roofing, and critical operating systems.
The Facility Condition Assessments noted significant issues with each elementary school, many of which directly affect students and staff. Some examples include:
leaking roofs that drip into classrooms and cause puddles inside the buildings
inefficient windows and sealants that make it difficult to regulate classroom temperatures
obsolete fire alarm panels,
a leaking component on a split system that caused damaged a school stage
inoperable urinals and plumbing issues
structural issues making it difficult to close some doors
water drainage issues that direct rainwater into a building
The Axias Facility Condition Assessments and Financial Summary Findings estimates that it would cost at least $28 million* to make the needed repairs to all three elementary school facilities to bring them up to good condition.
The same report estimates that it would cost more than $47 million* to replace all three schools.
Staff believes it would be a more efficient use of taxpayer money and grant funds to build a new, better designed elementary school that can comfortably serve all Warren County Schools elementary students, staff, and families.
* All costs are provided in 2023 dollars and do not include adjustments for inflation.
