Community members voice frustration over proposed Salem-Keizer school closures

SALEM, Ore. (KPTV) - Salem-Keizer Public Schools held a meeting on Tuesday night to hear from families who may be impacted by possible school closures.

“Families are just very emotional. Especially the families who are experiencing school closures in their neighborhoods,” said Latinos Unidos Siempre representative Sandra Hernandez.

This is one of the many remarks from those in attendance at the school board meeting on Tuesday night.

The meeting comes amid the possibility of six schools closing for the 2027-28 school year.

“If we do nothing, within a few years we will have 13 elementary schools below 300 students,” said Salem-Keizer superintendent Andrea Castaneda.

The superintendent explained that the proposal will improve the sustainability of its elementary schools for years to come.

“Since I’ve been here, our enrollment has dropped by 2,600 students. If we just think about that in a conservative estimate of funding, that is almost right around $26 million in state funding alone,” said the superintendent.

During the meeting, the district explained why the specific schools were being considered for closure.

“We have no parking lot at this site. It’s crowded there on the street,” said a school official.

But even with the given data, attendees pressed the school district to seek alternatives while also offering more insight to the decision.

“I urge you to pause these proposed closures and add academic performance to the EL 10 criteria before making a decision that could weaken a thriving a school community,” one parent said.

“We have given you three clear demands. Stop school closure process. Extend community input timeline at least for a year. Provide in depth clear data collection that clearly explains why school closures are the only option,” said one Salem-Keizer student.

The board is set to vote on the possible closures in December and boundary changes in February.

There are several listening sessions scheduled for community members to share their concerns:

• 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Leslie Middle School
• 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Claggett Creek Middle School
• 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 Crossler Middle School
• 10-11:30 a.m. Oct. 17 Straub Middle School
• 2-3:30 p.m. Oct. 17 Waldo Middle School