A public hearing regarding the possible closure of Wailupe Valley Elementary School has been scheduled for April 8, the state Department of Education announced this morning.

A task force comprised of parents, educators and community members has been meeting since December 23 to formulate a recommendation on whether to close the small school and shift its 77 students to Aina Haina Elementary School.

The hearing was scheduled today after complex area superintendent Ronn Nozoe made the task force's final report public. While the report doesn't recommend a decision either way, it does discuss the various advantages of closing Wailupe and moving its students to nearby Aina Haina.

Wailupe Valley is the first school to reach this critical juncture in the state Department of Education's ongoing effort to close or consolidate small schools.

Citing budget cuts of at least $40 million a year for the next two years, education officials in December embarked on the long and controversial process of studying consolidation of schools as a possible cost-saving measure.

Other areas such as Kaaawa, Molokai and Maui are expected to begin a similar process soon.

According to the report, if the schools were consolidated, it would result in nearly $1 million in savings for the state. The task force also generally found that Wailupe had a higher cost per-student to operate the school.

Overall student achievement was found to be higher at Aina Haina, according to an examination of the schools Hawaii State Assessment results. Wailupe Valley students transferring to Aina Haina would benefit from the Aina Haina emphasis on high student achievement, the report said.

The report can be found online at http://doe.k12.hi.us/.