Hills school closing plan moves forward

The critical question of which schools to close in the Bloomfield Hills School District will move a step closer tonight when a facilities task force provides its first progress report to the school board.
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The meeting begins 6 p.m. at West Hills Middle School, 2601 Lone Pine Road. District Communications Director Betsy Erikson said board trustees and task force volunteers are looking for public input.
"They're definitely looking for feedback from the community," she said. "There's going to be two different opportunities for public comment at the meeting - before the presentation and afterward - just to make sure everyone has a chance to be heard."
If history is a guide, the meeting will likely bring to the table critics and supporters of the district alike who have spoken out loudly before.
Anyone unable to attend the meeting can listen to a live broadcast on radio station WBHS-FM (88.1).
Declining enrollment and shrinking revenues are forcing the Bloomfield Hills School District to close two buildings by the end of the academic year. The district lost 130 students in the 2007-08 school year and a similar number this year.
The plan targets only elementary and middle school buildings. Given the current economic climate, school officials say it's likely they'll need to close a third building in the 2009-10 academic year.
A specific recommendation from the task force is scheduled for the Dec. 4 school board meeting at Lahser High School. An announcement from the board on which schools it plans to close is scheduled for Dec. 18 at Andover High School.
The public can also leave questions or comments about the school closings on the district Web site at www.bloomfield.org.