Silver Schools Board to Discuss Fate of Closing Elementary Schools

WNMU eyes Sixth Street Elementary for new education center, Aldo Leopold Charter School interested in Jose Barrios Elementary

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The Silver Consolidated Schools Board of Education will hold a special meeting next Monday to discuss the disposition of the Sixth Street and Jose Barrios elementary school buildings, which are set to close at the end of this school year. Western New Mexico University has expressed interest in acquiring the Sixth Street campus to house a proposed New Mexico Center of Excellence for Early Childhood Education, while Aldo Leopold Charter School is expected to submit a letter of intent to purchase the Jose Barrios building.

Why it matters

The closure of the two elementary schools is part of a district-wide consolidation plan aimed at making better use of space and saving an estimated $10 million over five years. The future of the school buildings is of great interest to the local community, as Sixth Street Elementary occupies a historically significant site and Aldo Leopold Charter School is seeking a permanent home.

The details

The board meeting on Monday will be the first in what is expected to be a series of public discussions on the fate of the Sixth Street and Jose Barrios buildings. WNMU has made acquiring the Sixth Street campus a priority, as it would house the university's proposed New Mexico Center of Excellence for Early Childhood Education. This revised plan is estimated to cost about half as much as the university's previous $21 million project to build new facilities. Meanwhile, the governing council of Aldo Leopold Charter School is scheduled to approve a letter of intent to purchase the Jose Barrios building at a meeting this week. The charter school, currently housed in a WNMU building, is committed to keeping the Jose Barrios name on the building.

  • The Silver Consolidated Schools Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Monday, March 10, 2026 at 5 p.m.
  • The board is expected to make a decision on the proposals for the Sixth Street and Jose Barrios buildings in April or May 2026.

The players

Silver Consolidated Schools Board of Education

The governing body of the Silver Consolidated School District, which voted last August to close Sixth Street and Jose Barrios elementary schools at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.

Western New Mexico University

A public university that has expressed interest in acquiring the Sixth Street Elementary campus to house its proposed New Mexico Center of Excellence for Early Childhood Education.

Aldo Leopold Charter School

A charter school that is expected to submit a letter of intent to purchase the Jose Barrios Elementary building, where its Youth Conservation Corps has completed several improvement projects.

William Hawkins

Superintendent of the Silver Consolidated School District.

Stan Snider

Silver City Town Councilor representing District 3, where Sixth Street Elementary is located.

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What they’re saying

“What I was hoping to do was to be able to transparently have a conversation in an open board meeting that just kind of gives an update as to where we are with those two buildings.”

— William Hawkins, Superintendent (scdailypress.com)

“That site has been an education site longer than the state's been New Mexico.”

— Stan Snider, Silver City Town Councilor (scdailypress.com)

“Aldo has proven over 20 years to be a very valuable member of this community, and it's about time they have a home that they can invest in.”

— Will Tracy, Director, Aldo Leopold Charter School (scdailypress.com)

What’s next

The Silver Consolidated Schools Board of Education is expected to vote on the proposals for the Sixth Street and Jose Barrios buildings in April or May 2026.

The takeaway

The future of the Sixth Street and Jose Barrios elementary school buildings is of great interest to the local community, with WNMU and Aldo Leopold Charter School both vying to acquire the properties. The board's decision will have significant implications for the educational landscape in Silver City.