Hoover Elementary

DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – The Dubuque Community School District is considering closing Hoover Elementary School to increase the district’s efficiency.  Superintendent- Amy Hawkins and a 1986 Hoover graduate said,

“we never want to change routines for kids. We never want to have building closures, but as superintendent, we have to be fiscally responsible and make sure we can keep all our doors open.”

Closing an elementary school would save an estimated $1 million dollars annually.  Amy  recommends the district close Hoover Elementary because of its declining enrollment. This school year, 292 students attend Hoover Elementary, down from 379 students in the 2019-2020 school year. The 22.96% decrease in enrollment is the largest decline of any district elementary school in that time.

Hoover Elementary School Principal Kathleen Walech-Haas cites state aid as another cause for the proposed closure.  She said,

“Unfortunately, the state of educational funding, it hasn’t been for a while, what it should be. With that, we have to face the reality of what that means. It is heartbreaking to think that we will lose a school community that we worked really hard to build, but we also want to make sure we transition students well.”

The district says Irving Elementary, Kennedy Elementary, and Table Mound Elementary schools have room to absorb Hoover’s students while keeping class sizes below 30 students.

Hawkins also notes vacant positions at other schools will likely let the district maintain every Hoover Elementary staff member.

The district is hosting an open house at Hoover to discuss the proposed closure on January 21st.

Hoover families are reflecting on their experiences with the school.

“Living in the area, we had park and rec in the summer. You’d still hang out with your friends that came out in the morning and during school, the recess, the gym classes, the art classes… I mean everything was fun here,” says Adam Kaiser, a former Hoover Hornet who has a daughter attending the elementary school.

Some families are thinking about what’s next.

“We’re kind of in the phase of mourning the loss of her getting to walk to school and immediately she expressed concerns about where her friends might end up and where she might end up,” explains Erica Leavell, detailing ongoing conversations with her 1st grade Hornet.

“Our motto here is, ‘Once a Hornet, always a Hornet,’ so no matter if there’s a building or not, the community survives,” says Kathleen.

A final decision on Hoover’s future will come on February 10th.