Battle Creek School Board votes to re-open Fremont Elementary in fall 2019
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Battle Creek school leaders are bringing new life to an elementary school that’s been closed for more than two years after an investment from the Kellogg Foundation.
The sound of students will once again grace the halls of Fremont Elementary in fall 2019, which could come as a surprise to some people because the school was closed for financial reasons two years ago.
The district turned things around with some new policies and a $51 million donation from the Kellogg Foundation.
Fremont will re-open gradually. The school will first be open to pre-k through second grade students. A grade will be added every year until fifth grade.
The re-opening has sentimental value for Battle Creek families who have kids and siblings who attended the school in the past.
“That was always at the heart of the decision was how can we re-open Fremont, but have it re-imaged in a way that will be sustainable for student enrollment,” said Anita Harvey, the Director of District Transformation for Battle Creek Schools.
Anita Harvey’s kids went to Fremont and plays a key role in keeping the doors open there. School leaders call the new program at Fremont academically rigorous.
Students will be taught a second language, starting in pre-kindergarten.
Newschannel 3 asked school leaders what makes re-opening the school sustainable.
“What we’ve started to see is a slow trend of students choosing not to leave our district and because of that we are able to offer this program - in addition to the investment from the Kellogg Foundation,” Harvey said.
The $51 million investment over five years from the Kellogg Foundation was a game changer.
The money not only helped re-boot Fremont Elementary, but got the district out of debt.
“Lots of celebrations. We are absolutely right sized and are re-structuring has been successful at eliminating that,” said Battle Creek Schools Superintendent Kimberly Carter.
The district was more than $1 million in debt in 2016. Carter said the investment will support good programs that keep students and tax dollars in Battle Creek.
“I think we’ve been working hard to restore the faith in Battle Creek Public Schools,” Carter said.
