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Key Takeaways

• The Comprehensive Planning has recommended that nine PSD schools close and two schools consolidate beginning in the Fall of the 2027-2028 school year. 
• The Board of Education will host four regional listening sessions between October 12 and 19, 2026. More information about these sessions is included below.
• More information, including responses to FAQs, about Comprehensive Planning in PSD is available on the PSD website. 

Dear PSD Families, Students, Staff, and Community Members,

I am writing today to share that we are moving forward with a proposal to close or consolidate a number of Poudre School District schools. This is difficult news for everyone in our community and I want to share the recommendation made by the Comprehensive Planning Committee directly and openly.

Recommendation

Over the past seventeen months, the PSD Comprehensive Planning Committee (CPC) has conducted a comprehensive analysis of enrollment trends, facility utilization, facility condition, transportation impact, program capacity, among many other factors, across the district. That analysis has informed the following preliminary recommendation for the 2027-2028 school year:

• Beattie Elementary School will close and students within the neighborhood boundary will be assigned to Lopez Elementary School and Bennett Elementary School. 
• Irish Elementary Escuela Bilingüe will close and students within the neighborhood boundary will be assigned to Cache la Poudre Elementary School and Bauder Elementary School. A specific cohort of multilingual language learners from Irish will be offered the opportunity to go to Harris Bilingual Immersion Elementary School. 
• Johnson Elementary School will close and students within the neighborhood boundary will be assigned to Olander Elementary School and McGraw Elementary School. 
• Putnam Elementary School will close and students within the neighborhood boundary will be assigned to Dunn Elementary School and Tavelli Elementary School. 
• Livermore, Red Feather Lakes, and Stove Prairie Elementary Schools (the Mountain Schools) will close and students within the neighborhood boundaries of each school will be assigned to Cache la Poudre Elementary School. 
• Timnath Elementary School will close and students within the neighborhood boundary will be assigned to Linton Elementary School and Bamford Elementary School. 
• A boundary change will be implemented for Bacon Elementary School. 
• Blevins Middle School will close and students within the neighborhood boundary will be assigned to Webber Middle School and Lincoln Middle School.
• Centennial High School and Poudre Community Academy will consolidate to form a new school. The future location will be determined in early 2027.

An executive summary of the rationale supporting this recommendation can be found here.

Please view a video overview of the recommendation here.

A formal presentation of this recommendation will be shared with the Board of Education at their meeting on October 13. The packet for that meeting will be posted on the Board of Education page of the PSD website October 6. In it, community members will find the detailed rationale that supports this recommendation. I want to emphasize that this is a recommendation, not a final decision. The Board of Education will not act on this proposal until the Board of Education meeting on October 27.

Why This Is Necessary

Over the last several years, we have shared information with our community about the sustained enrollment decline that our district faces. While PSD is one of the highest performing districts in the state and nation, there are simply fewer children being born in our community, the cost of living is high, fewer families are residing here, and that trend is expected to continue. We are committed to offering our students robust educational experiences and to continue doing so responsibly and equitably, we must close schools. 

To Our Students

I know this news is difficult. For many of you, your school is your home away from home, a place where you belong and where you experience the joy of learning alongside your classmates each and every day. While the school building you attend may change for next school year, I can assure you that the sense of belonging you feel in your school will not. The teachers and staff at your new school are ready and excited to welcome you.

I also know that it may be difficult to come to school each day in a school that you know is closing. The feelings that you are having about this change are valid. If you need support, please let the front office or your school counselor know. You have a community of support surrounding you that is ready to help!

To Our Families 

I know this change is difficult for you as well. You entrust us with the care of your children every day and we do not take that responsibility lightly. The district is committed to supporting your students and each PSD family impacted school closures. 

There are undoubtedly many questions about what this change will mean for families. To help answer those questions, the district will host meetings for families at affected schools. The dates/times of these meetings will be sent to impacted families. These sessions are open only to the families of the schools where they are scheduled.

PSD’s student Mental Health team will also be in attendance to provide support and guidance for you and your student. An FAQ with information is also available on the PSD website here. We appreciate your partnership as we navigate this period of change together.

To Our Staff

I acknowledge that, for many in our staff community, this is life changing news. And, I know that it is you — the people of PSD —  who make our schools and the district exceptional. You serve our students and families as well as one another with professionalism, care, compassion, and dedication every day. The success of our schools is built on the relationships you create and the care you show our students. 

I know that this recommendation creates uncertainty, concern, and difficult emotions and all of those feelings are understandable and are being taken seriously. To support you as we navigate this change together, the district will host meetings for staff at affected schools. The dates/times of these sessions will be shared directly with impacted staff. These sessions are open only to the staff of the schools where they are scheduled.

During these meetings, the Human Resources team will present information about staffing and will answer questions. Support from our Employee Assistance Services (EAS) team will also be available. 

Listening Session Opportunities

The following opportunities to engage with the Board of Education regarding this recommendation prior to their vote on October 27 are open to all PSD families, staff, and community members, not only those connected to the schools recommended for closure above:

• October 6, 6:00-7:30pm, Livermore Elementary School, 360 W County Road 74E, Livermore, CO 80536
• October 12, 6:00-7:30pm, Timnath Middle-High School (Auditorium), 4700 E Prospect Road, Timnath CO, 80524 
• October 14, 6:00-7:30pm, Rocky Mountain High School (Media Center), 1300 W Swallow Road, Fort Collins, CO 80526 
• October 15, 6:00-7:30pm, Poudre High School (Event Center), 201 N Impala Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80521 
• October 19, 6:00-7:30pm, Fort Collins High School (Theater), 3400 Lambkin Way, Fort Collins, CO 80525 

What Happens Next

• September 25: Districtwide announcement (today)
• Beginning September 28: Staff and family meetings at closing, receiving, and consolidating schools
• October 6-19: Board listening sessions
• October 13: Board receives formal presentation on CPC recommendation at Board Meeting
• October 27: Board votes on CPC recommendation

Resources and Information 

• For questions specific to impacts for your student, please call 970-490-3005 or email info@psdschools.org. 
• Frequently Asked Questions 
• For mental health support services for students, families can contact the front office of their school and ask to be connected to a member of your school’s mental health SSP team (Counselor, Mental Health Specialist, Psychologist or Social Worker). Community-based mental health resources are also available below for those who may find them helpful: 
  • Longview Behavioral Health Urgent Care, 2260 W. Trilby Road in Fort Collins: 970-494-4200
  • I Matter Colorado (up to six free, virtual counseling sessions): imattercolorado.org or yoimportocolorado.org (la versión en Español)
  • Child, Adolescent and Young Adult Connections (CAYAC): 970-221-3308 - CAYAC empowers families to navigate behavioral health services for children, adolescents, and young adults across Larimer County.
  • Health Info Source - https://healthinfosource.com/ - Source for Your source for mental health resources and information for Larimer County, Colorado.
  • Connections – Adult Services: 970-221-5551
  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 24/7 free, confidential support. Call or text 988 to reach a trained counselor. Help in Spanish: www.988lifeline.org/es/inicio/ 

We know that some may have questions about why this recommendation was released at the end of the day on a Friday. This choice was intentional and was designed to give our students, staff, and families the opportunity to hear and process this information outside of a regular school day. 

I recognize that change like this affects our community deeply — it touches memories, routines and relationships built over years. I do not take that lightly, and my commitment is to walk through this process with honesty, urgency, and care for every student and family affected.

With appreciation,

Brian Kingsley 
Superintendent of Schools

With the conversation around closure and consolidation of Poudre School District schools continuing, the district will be hosting two community engagement sessions next month to break down the data behind its comprehensive planning efforts and why the district is having these conversations now.

The two sessions, titled “Comprehensive Planning by the Numbers,” will provide a breakdown of relevant data to help inform the community regarding the challenges and opportunities facing the district. The presentation will include enrollment and funding information, information about community involvement in the process to this point and how it has informed the steps the district has taken, and more. 

The community will also have the opportunity to ask questions directly to leadership and the Board of Education about this process and the data behind it. 

It is important to note that the recommendation of the district’s comprehensive planning committee regarding schools that may close or consolidate in the future will NOT be shared at these engagement sessions. 

“This process is not only one that is deeply complex and difficult for our community to experience, precisely because of the impact it will have on our students, families, and staff. My commitment remains to making sure our community is well informed about why these conversations are happening now — not just the decision itself, but the data and process behind it.” said Superintendent Brian Kingsley. “These sessions are an opportunity for us to interact directly with our community to further explain the process, as well as answer questions. No one wants to be in this position, but with appreciation for how much trust our community places in us, it is imperative we do everything in our power to do this right.”

The first engagement night will be held at Fort Collins High School, 3400 Lambkin Way, on Sept. 14, and the second will be held at Rocky Mountain High School, 1300 W. Swallow Road, on Sept. 15; both sessions will run from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Sessions are open to all members of the PSD community. 

More information on the district’s comprehensive planning process can be found on the district’s website.