Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Long Range Facilities Plan. If you do not see the answer to your question, visit our Ask a Question page to submit your own.
Why is Ordean the best site for an eastern high school?
In analyzing the needs of Duluth’s current and future high school students, the School Board focused on three key questions:
How many high schools does Duluth need?
Over the coming years Duluth’s enrollment will decline to only 3,000 students in grades 9 – 12. Keeping three high schools open for 3,000 students would cost significantly more, requiring the district to find additional revenue, or cut district expenditures (for example, by increasing each class size by two students throughout the district). In addition, over 80 percent of Duluth residents who participated in a scientific opinion poll rejected the idea of one large high school. With that information and the unanimous recommendation of the citizen advisory group, the School Board voted 6-to-1 in favor of two high schools to serve Duluth students and families.
Where should the two high schools be located?
An evaluation of neighborhood population trends over the next 20 years found that most students will live in Duluth’s east and west neighborhoods. Since the School District seeks to improve our education facilities while reducing operating expenses, it made sense to locate the two high schools near where the students live to reduce transportation costs. Compared to alternative plans, fewer Central neighborhood students will need to be bussed to eastern and western high schools. That makes eastern and western high schools the best choice.
Where should the eastern high school be located?
The Ordean Middle School is more than twice the size of East High School, has adequate amenities already in place and is strategically located to reduce transportation costs. While it does need some investment, eminent domain will not be needed for any work at the Ordean campus. The Ordean location was the best and most cost-effective option available to the school district for an eastern high school.