Closure planned for end of the school year

SCOTTSBLUFF – More than 20 speakers addressed the Scottsbluff Public School Board of Education Monday in a special meeting on the future of Minatare Elementary School. 

Brett Moser, a parent of a Lake Minatare School student, objected to the closing. 

“Closing a school that helps to ground the foundation of a community in our district sends a clear message as to what is valued in Scottsbluff,” he said. 

Member of The Parent Club Taylor Leukens objected to how the meeting was conducted. 

“They wouldn’t even address our questions! We brought them several genuine concerns about the financial data they presented and asked them to help us understand. Instead, they were mostly upset with us for questioning the figures they offered,”  Leukens  said. 

The board voted 5-1 to close the school.  

The special Monday meeting was posted on the District’s Facebook page December 18. The meeting was held at Scottsbluff High School. In a December 11 announcement posted on the  District’s  website said “the Board of Education will receive an update on Lake Minatare Elementary and have a discussion with possible action taken in regards to the status of the school for the 2026-2027 school year.” 

Financial projections indicate the District could save more than $750,000 by closing Lake Minatare Elementary while  still  retaining all of the Lake Minatare staff. According to the December 11 post, staff could be moved to positions open by attrition while the overall District staff is reduced. 

As of October 1, Lake Minatare served 65 students. 

The need to consider a school district reduction is due to the School District Property Tax Limitation Act passed in 2023.