The School District of Lancaster (SDOL) has announced plans to close Price Elementary School at the end of the 2026-27 school year. This decision is part of the district's strategy to address a significant budget deficit. The closure, pending approval by the school board, aims to save $13.6 million over the next five years.
Price Elementary, located at 340 South West End Ave. in Lancaster Township, will not be rebuilt as initially planned. Instead, its students will be relocated to nearby schools such as Hamilton, Lafayette, and Carter & MacRae. The district's elementary schools, currently 81% filled, are expected to reach 87% capacity if Price closes.
The decision to close Price Elementary comes amid a broader effort to manage SDOL's financial challenges, which include a $35 million budget deficit. The district has faced declining enrollment and rising operational costs, leading to a structural imbalance between expenses and revenue. According to SDOL's budget information hub, the district has been overspending its budget since 2021, drawing down its savings significantly.
The closure will affect 31 teachers, 13 support staff, and two administrators, who will undergo a furlough process. SDOL hopes to place affected employees in vacant positions by the end of the school year. Superintendent Keith Miles acknowledged the impact of this decision, stating in an email to Price families that the news may be upsetting and raise questions.
The school board will meet on August 18 to schedule a public hearing for September 29, following Pennsylvania's required process for closing a school. Community listening sessions are planned for October 27, October 29, and November 2, with a final vote on the closure expected on January 19.