Selma superintendent considers 'right-sizing' schools as enrollment, revenue drops

In his first six months at the helm of Selma City Schools, Superintendent David Scott sees promise in the district but warns that a “right-sizing” is approaching.

In 2026, Selma schools’ enrollment dropped 20% which put two schools at the 100-student mark and at the point of being considered for combination or closure, Scott told the Rotary Club of Selma on Monday.

The numbers could decline even more when the new School of Discovery opens. Two options being considered for the new school being built on Washington Street include it being an intermediate elementary school, pulling from current elementary schools.

“I will make a recommendation to the board in October to move to make decision and look at impact,” Scott said.

The decline in enrollment this year also meant a loss of 14 teacher units, but Scott said that was handled through attrition with teachers retiring or leaving.

Revenue this year is at a five-year low at $34 million, which is $15 million less than the district’s high of $51 million in 2024 thanks mostly to higher federal and state funding that is no longer coming in, he added.

With the district shrinking comes the fate of two elementary schools with low enrollment, Clark that has only 112 students and Payne with 160.

The issues of enrollment were introduced by Selma school leaders during a town hall meeting with the public on Aug. 19. Scott also proposed the options for School of Discovery that includes making it an intermediate school for grades 5 and 6 with an emphasis on art, music and dance or an elementary school for grades 4 through 6 for Payne, Clark and Sophia P. Kingston students. It also could be a middle school for grades 6 through 8 with an emphasis on art, music and dance.

School of Discovery is eight months away from opening, Scott said.

Selma City Schools is working on a five-year strategic plan that will help plan out the future, which Scott says has the district “poised to do great things.”

“I’m excited about talking to people about a how to move the district forward,” he said. “Selma City Schools has a bright future, and I’m glad to be part of that future.”