GUILDERLAND — Now that the school district has defined a problem of too much building space for too few students and not enough money to maintain the status quo, citizens will be asked to help shape solutions.

The school board has set aside, for now, school-closure recommendations from a consultant's building capacity report following months of protests from those who want to keep Altamont Elementary School open.

Last week, the Guilderland School District added future meetings to discuss a consultant’s report released last month that provided options to save the district money.  Five of the six options proposed closing elementary schools, and four of the five proposed closing Altamont Elementary School.

More than half of the 27 applicants for focus groups to discuss building capacity were from Altamont; the school district is seeking diverse representatives from across the community and so has pushed back the date.

It could take a year and a half for the school board to decide how, if at all, to re-organize its schools, possibly closing one, to save funds. A consultant released data last week, creating a stir.

As GCSD looks to save money by reorganizing and possibly closing an elementary school, residents must make their views known while also listening to others.