GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Parents and community members gathered outside Scenic Elementary School on November 14, voicing their concerns over the recent recommendation for the school’s closure. This marks the second school within District 51 to face such a proposal, following a similar recommendation for Nisley Elementary just one day earlier.

District Decision Sparks Outrage

The district’s decision to potentially shut down Scenic Elementary came in the wake of a detailed review process, according to a letter sent to families and staff. The Elementary Declining Enrollment Committee (EDEC) determined that Scenic’s enrollment was in a steady decline, making it a candidate for closure.

The letter from Principal Kris Scott emphasized that this decision was not a reflection of the school’s performance or its community. Still, for many parents, the announcement came as a shock, given Scenic’s track record of high academic achievement.

Scenic Elementary is celebrated for its impressive performance in state testing and its recognition as one of the district’s top-performing schools. The school was awarded the Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award in both 2022 and 2023, a testament to its dedication to student success.

Despite these accolades, the district has deemed the declining student enrollment at Scenic a significant factor in its closure recommendation. Families, however, argue that the school’s quality should be recognized, not overlooked.

Parents Voice Their Concerns

Outside the school, parents expressed their dissatisfaction with the district’s recommendation. Kelsey Teske, a parent of a Scenic Elementary student, shared her belief that the school’s performance should not lead to its closure. “Scenic Elementary is one of the highest-performing schools in the district,” she said. “We also score really well in state testing, and we won a John Irwin award a couple of years ago.”

Teske’s sentiments were echoed by other parents, who were equally vocal about the potential closure. They argue that Scenic’s exceptional achievements and its high-performing students make it an asset to the district, not a liability.

“I just don’t feel like this is a school you should close. This is a school you should emulate,” Teske added.

In addition to high academic scores, Scenic Elementary has earned 97.7% of the total possible points on official performance ratings from the Colorado Department of Education, further solidifying its reputation as a school that provides quality education.

The Impact on Families and Students

For families like Shaina Allmer’s, the potential closure brings back painful memories. Allmer, a former parent at Scenic, recalled discussing the possibility of the school closing with her son. “I told him about the possibility of Scenic being on the chopping block again, and my son Aurelio said, ‘Mom, other kids should have the opportunities that we had.’”

The district’s proposed rezoning of students has also raised concerns. If the Board of Education moves forward with the closure, students would be reassigned to Broadway or Wingate Elementary. For many parents, this is more than just a change of school—it’s a disruption to the sense of community they’ve built at Scenic.

Principal Kris Scott acknowledged the emotional toll of such decisions in her letter to the community. “Together, we’ll navigate this transition with compassion, care, and a focus on supporting each member of our school community.”

The District’s Ongoing Review

The protest at Scenic Elementary is part of a broader debate surrounding school closures within District 51. On November 13, Nisley Elementary was also announced as a recommended closure, and another school is expected to be named by the end of the day on November 15.

Parents across the district are closely watching the outcomes of these decisions, with some questioning the rationale behind closing schools that have proven successful academically. The district is still in the process of evaluating its options, with the Board of Education set to make the final call.

As the debate continues, the community remains divided, with parents advocating for their children’s right to quality education at Scenic, while district officials face the challenge of balancing enrollment trends with educational resources.