Colorado Springs Middle School Closes for Safety Concerns After Inspection
COLORADO SPRINGS – Jenkins Middle School in Colorado Springs will officially close on Friday due to significant safety concerns identified during a recent building inspection. The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) cited structural issues, prompting Colorado Springs District 11 to take immediate action to ensure the safety of students and staff.
The inspection revealed ongoing problems such as cracking and the physical separation of walls and floors, creating gaps and breaches in fire safety areas. These issues have worsened over time, affecting fire doors and exit corridors. While the school district has made efforts to mitigate the problems, the shifting of the building has made the situation untenable.
As a result, all Jenkins Middle School students, teachers, and staff will be relocated to other District 11 schools for the remainder of the school year. Starting next Thursday, 7th and 8th-grade students will attend dedicated learning spaces at Doherty High School, while 6th-grade students will move to Russell Middle School.
To prepare for this transition, students from Jenkins, Russell Middle School, and Doherty High School will have no classes from Monday through Wednesday next week. This will allow staff to organize classroom spaces and ensure a smooth shift for all involved.
District 11 has scheduled community meetings to provide additional information and address concerns. These meetings will take place at Doherty High School on Tuesday, January 14; Thursday, January 16; and Wednesday, January 22, all beginning at 6:00 p.m.
The district emphasized its commitment to student safety and continued learning during this transitional period. Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend the community meetings or contact District 11 for further updates and support.
This move highlights the importance of prioritizing safety in educational environments and underscores the district’s swift action to address serious structural concerns.
