Toledo Public Schools Considers Closing Edgewater and Mayfair in Response to Funding Cuts

TOLEDO, Ohio – The Toledo Public Schools (TPS) Board of Education is deliberating the potential closure and repurposing of Edgewater Elementary School and Mayfair Early Childhood Center due to anticipated funding reductions. The decision comes as the district faces an expected $2 million loss in early childhood education funding.

Jim Gault, TPS Chief of Educational Development, explained that the district is carefully considering these moves to ensure continued high-quality educational services, despite the financial challenges. The proposed changes aim to align the district’s resources with its educational priorities and community needs.

At a meeting last Friday, the Board of Education’s Finance and Business Operations Committee reviewed a resolution that proposes repurposing both schools. The resolution suggests these buildings could be transitioned into new educational models to better meet the district’s evolving objectives. It also notes that the district intends to provide affected students with transportation to their newly assigned schools.

Edgewater Elementary students, if the plan moves forward, would be transferred to Ottawa River Elementary in the fall. However, as of now, the district has not clarified where Mayfair’s students would be reassigned.

The potential closure has raised concerns among parents, especially those whose children have special needs. Alicia Velez, whose 3-year-old son Emilio attends Mayfair, expressed worry about the impact on her child, who has Down syndrome. Velez explained that Mayfair has been crucial in providing the level of care and support her son needs to succeed in school, raising doubts about whether other schools will be able to offer the same services.

“This is one of the schools that could provide everything he needed to go to school,” Velez said, expressing her concerns for her son’s future education.

Jessica Davis, whose 4-year-old son also attends Mayfair, echoed similar concerns. Davis pointed out that many children at Mayfair have special needs, and the closure of the preschool would leave parents uncertain about alternative options for their children.

“There’s a lot of kids over there with special needs. You know, I live across the street. I see them come in and out of the school buses every day. And it makes you wonder: if that preschool isn’t there, where are the other kids gonna go?” Davis said.

The TPS Board of Education is expected to vote on the resolution as early as next week. Should the board approve the proposal, significant changes are likely to take place in the district’s educational landscape. For now, parents remain hopeful that the district will find a solution that addresses both the financial challenges and the needs of vulnerable students.