NJ Department of Education officially approves closure of Evesham’s Evans Elementary School

The following information comes from the Evesham Township School District:

On Monday, Aug. 22, the New Jersey Department of Education, Office of School Facilities and Finance, issued an approval for the closure of the Florence V. Evans Elementary School.

As per the Evesham Township School District Elementary School Consolidation Plan, initial transitions already have begun, but the Evans School will remain open for grades one through five throughout the entire 2016–2017 school year.

The closure will be effective on July 1, 2017.

Evesham Superintendent of Schools John Scavelli Jr. released the following comment regarding the closure:

“In 2003, the Evesham Township School District peaked with 5,436 students attending its nine schools. Since 2003, school district enrollment has dropped by more than 1,000 students. The anticipated enrollment for the 2016–2017 school year will be approximately 4,400. Beginning with the 2017–2018 school year, Evans School students will attend the remaining elementary schools within the district because there is sufficient space within those buildings to accommodate these students as well as new students from approved housing development. The Evans School building will remain part of the Evesham Township School District and be repurposed for other uses such as a rental property.”

During the upcoming school year, students will participate in various transition activities with their new schools in anticipation of the following year.

The school district expects the consolidation will enable it to maintain an average class size at the elementary level of less than 20 students per general education class.

The consolidation also will provide for the continuation of all educational programs and services over the next several years.

Specific details regarding the consolidation plan can be found on the school district website at www.evesham.k12.nj.us.