Helena parents, teachers and students urged school officials during a public hearing Wednesday night not to close Hawthorne Elementary School.
The Helena Public School Board of Trustees held a public hearing to discuss the superintendent’s recommendations to either close the elementary by the end of this school year, close next school year or keep the school open.
The hearing garnered comments from school community members, primarily Hawthorne parents, teachers and students. Nearly 40 spoke in opposition, with some pleading with the trustees to consider other routes. Others pitted the upcoming levy vote against the closure decision and stressed their concerns about timing.
“I’m urging you to not be constrained by those three options,” Hawthorne parent Hanna Warhank told the board. “Think outside the box. Find a solution that is good for all kids, including the Hawthorne kids.”
“ This, as you said, is an ongoing problem that will not be solved by the closure of this neighborhood school. We need a different solution for that,” said Lisa Richidt, another Hawthorne parent. “These bigger-is-better schools and solutions are not the case. I just wanna say that this again is not the solution to the school district’s budget problem. It will only add to it by undermining the trust that some of us would like to have in our public school district.”
During the meeting, Superintendent Rex Weltz, board trustees and other school officials discussed the implications and logistics of closing the school, including budgetary savings, what elementary schools would take in the former Hawthorne students and how the district plans to handle Hawthorne’s staff and teachers.
Hawthorne is the district’s oldest school and has 179 students, the fewest in the district. The other distinct elementary schools average about 300 students.
If Hawthorne closes, students will be redistributed to either Central or Kessler Elementary schools, which would increase the number of students in those classrooms.
According to school officials, Hawthorne currently has 27 employees. Four of the teaching positions would be reassigned to Central and Kessler.
Other Hawthorne staff would have opportunities to fill vacancies within the district depending on bargaining agreements and openings from retirements, resignations and other vacant positions, according to the district.
The district estimated that about $918,000 would be saved from staff reductions for the 2025-2026 school year.
Others voiced concerns about timing if the trustees decide to close the school this year. The board is expected to reach a decision at its June meeting, and some parents and teachers said that would not be enough time to prepare students for the transition.
“If we were having this conversation in January … I would not be as adamant that I need to stand up here and advocate that this timeline just doesn’t work,” said Josh Jones, who is both a Hawthorne parent and teacher. “But with a potential date of voting on this, on June 10, the last day of school. There’s no time for those transitions.”
By the end of the meeting, board trustees said that whatever they decide regarding Hawthorne will not solve all of the district’s budgetary troubles. District officials reiterated that they are facing a $2.6 million budget shortfall for the elementary schools along with an estimated $4.6 million in deferred maintenance at Hawthorne
Hawthorne Elementary Principal Jesika Fisher also addressed the audience, pledging to support families and students no matter what happens.
“I love being a part of this community. I want you to know too that Central and Kessler are phenomenal communities. If that’s what we get, they will support you,” Fisher said. “I will work my tail off through the summer to make sure you get the transition and support you need if we get to that. We promise you as a staff for the rest of this year, we’re going to love your kids. We’re going to choose joy, and we’re gonna celebrate every single day.”
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