The number of pupils in the city of Salzgitter is expected to decline in the coming years.
In its resolution on the 2010 budget, the Council instructed the administration to explain to it, as part of school development planning, how the declining number of pupils will affect the necessary planning in the future.
According to Frank Klingebiel, an important point for him is that parents, pupils, schools, local councils and the relevant council committees are informed of the administration's plans at an early stage before the planning considerations are implemented and are asked to submit their comments before the summer vacation. The Lord Mayor emphasized that he hoped to achieve maximum acceptance among those affected. The opinions expressed would then be evaluated and incorporated into the political discussion on specific school organization measures.
However, Klingebiel explained that the current pupil numbers did not yet show any acute need for action, meaning that no school organization measures would be implemented in the 2011/2012 school year. But even after that, school closures would only be implemented after a child- and parent-friendly transition (children enrolled in school would remain until the fourth grade, but would not be re-enrolled).
Elementary school
According to the plan, the Waldschule elementary school in Salzgitter-Bad would be closed by August 1, 2013 at the latest. The reason for this is the high need for renovation (approx. 367,000 euros) and the decline in pupil numbers. The school has been temporarily assigned to the Am Ziesberg elementary school since 2008. The pupils could be taught in the school building without any problems.
The Salder elementary school, which has also not been independent for some time, has been assigned to the Ostertal elementary school in Lebenstedt due to insufficient pupil numbers. Its closure is also planned, as the current higher number of pupils is due to the fact that children from other districts attend school there. The administration is aiming to integrate the primary school children from Salder into the Ostertal school building in the medium term.
Secondary schools
In the medium term, the existence of the secondary modern schools in Salzgitter-Bad, Fredenberg and An der Klunkau is not yet at risk. Developments at the schools in Thiede and Flachstöckheim are being monitored. However, it is already becoming apparent that it will be almost impossible to maintain these two secondary modern schools over the medium-term planning period.
Secondary schools/grammar schools
No closures are planned for all secondary modern schools in the medium and long term or for the grammar schools in the medium term.
Secondary school
The model of a secondary school favored by the state of Lower Saxony (combining the Hauptschule and Realschule into this type of school) is being reviewed for its feasibility in Salzgitter. However, should the declining number of pupils necessitate school organization measures (closure or merging of schools), the introduction of a secondary school will be implemented with as little interference as possible in existing school structures in Salzgitter.
Further information can be found in the following communication from the administration. This will be debated in the local councils and the relevant committees over the next few weeks. It will be on the Council's agenda on May 25.