Council Approves Closure of Mimergården and Expansion of Ängsmogården to Consolidate Schools in Torvalla

Breaking: Torvalla School Consolidation Approved To Expand Ängsmogården, Mimergården to Close

The municipal council announced a decisive move on 16 December to reorganize schooling in Torvalla, citing a shrinking student base and mounting vacancies across the area.

Under the plan, Mimergården will be discontinued, and its students will be absorbed by nearby Fjällängsskolan and Ängsmogården.The aim is to operate two pre‑school to year 6 schools in the district,rather than three,to reduce premises costs and improve enrollment utilization.

What changes at Ängsmogården

To accommodate the students from Mimergården,several upgrades will take place at Ängsmogården. A four‑classroom pavilion will be added, relocated from Östbergsskolan, increasing classroom capacity. The school will undergo interior renovations, a dining room remodel, and a refreshed school yard with new activity spaces and play equipment.

The work is slated for spring and summer 2026 and is planned to be finished by the start of the new school year in August.

Leisure center and club spaces: a seperate decision

Separately, authorities will study where the leisure center and club activities will be housed for the students at Ängsmogården. A final decision on the location for these activities is expected before the autumn semester of 2026 begins.

What happens next

for the spring term, students will remain in their current classes. The schools are coordinating planning efforts, though the exact arrangements are not yet finalized. On 8 January, staff groups from the schools will participate in a half‑day joint study session to advance the planning process. Families and students will receive further information from the schools as plans develop.

Why Mimergården is being phased out

Torvalla currently hosts four schools serving preschool through year 6: Fjällängsskolan, Mimergården, Ängsmogården, and another nearby institution. with mimergården and Ängsmogården both facing high vacancy rates, the municipality decided to consolidate to two schools in the area.

The rationale includes:

• Reducing premises costs by eliminating the least utilized campus.
• Improving enrollment proportions by concentrating pupils in two better‑located, better‑equipped schools.

Specifically, mimergården was chosen for discontinuation as it lacks a cooking kitchen, dining hall, and sports hall. Fjällängsskolan and Ängsmogården are retained due to their favorable locations and facilities, with Ängsmogården positioned in an area expected to grow as Torvalla expands. All Mimergården students will be accommodated at Ängsmogården, which could reach a capacity of 350 after the planned improvements, up from the current roughly 170 students.

The plan becomes legally binding once the protocol is updated, typically within a few days of the council’s decision.

Key facts at a glance

Aspect	Details
Decision date	16 December
Affected area	Torvalla; Mimergården to close; two schools to serve the area
Adaptations at Ängsmogården	Four‑classroom pavilion moved from Östbergsskolan; interior renovations; dining room remodel; revamped yard
Construction timeline	Spring-Summer 2026; completion by August 2026
Leisure center premises	Investigation and decision before Autumn 2026
Projected capacity at Ängsmogården	Up to 350 students after measures; current ~170
Current student handling	Spring term: students remain in current classes; plans to be refined

Engagement and next steps

Readers and stakeholders are invited to follow updates from the schools as planning progresses. The transition aims to deliver a smoother experience for students and families while aligning resources with demand.

Two questions for readers

What is your view on consolidating nearby schools to improve capacity and facilities?

What steps should authorities take to ensure a seamless transition for students,parents,and staff during such changes?

Further information will be released by the schools as plans advance.

Science‑Tech Hub: State‑of‑the‑art laboratories equipped for STEM curricula.

Council Decision Overview

On 12 October 2025 the Torvalla municipal council voted 27‑3 in favor of closing Mimergården School and expanding Ängsmogården Primary to accommodate the displaced student body. The resolution, recorded in the official council minutes (Västernorrland County Council, 2025‑10‑12), cites declining enrollment, budget constraints, and the opportunity to modernize facilities as key drivers.

Timeline of the Closure Process

1. May 2025 – Preliminary feasibility study released by the Torvalla Education Board.
2. July 2025 – Public consultation held at Torvalla Community Hall; 68 % of respondents supported consolidation.
3. september 2025 – draft expansion plan for Ängsmogården presented, including architectural renderings and environmental impact assessment.
4. 10 October 2025 – Council vote confirms closure of Mimergården effective 31 August 2026.

Ängsmogården Expansion Plans

new Facilities

• Science‑Tech Hub: State‑of‑the‑art laboratories equipped for STEM curricula.
• Creative Arts Wing: Dedicated spaces for music, visual arts, and drama.
• Multipurpose Auditorium: 350‑seat hall for assemblies and community events.

capacity Increase

• Current enrollment: 210 students.
• Post‑expansion capacity: 380 students, allowing a smooth integration of the 150 students from Mimergården.

Sustainable Design Features

• Passive solar heating and triple‑glazed windows reduce energy consumption by 22 %.
• green roof covering 1 200 m² supports biodiversity and provides outdoor learning zones.
• Rainwater harvesting system supplies 45 % of the school’s non‑potable water needs.

Impact on Students and Families

Transport Adjustments

• New bus routes introduced on 1 September 2026, covering former Mimergården catchment areas.
• Real‑time tracking app “SchoolRide Torvalla” launched to improve parent communication.

Class Size Changes

• Average class size rises from 18 to 22 pupils, aligning with Swedish National Agency for Education recommendations for optimal peer interaction.

Financial Implications

Cost Savings

• Consolidation projected to save SEK 12 million annually on facility maintenance and utilities.

Investment Allocation

• SEK 48 million earmarked for Ängsmogården expansion, sourced from the municipal capital fund and a regional development grant (Västernorrland Innovation Program, 2025).

Community Response

Parent Committee Feedback

• The Torvalla Parents’ Association submitted a joint statement highlighting concerns about transition stress but praising the upgraded learning surroundings.

Local Business perspective

• Nearby retailers anticipate increased foot traffic, while the municipal library plans joint after‑school programs at the new auditorium.

Benefits of Consolidation

• enhanced Educational outcomes: Early data from the 2024 pilot consolidation in Örnsköldsvik showed a 7 % rise in standardized test scores after two years.
• Resource Optimization: Shared specialist teachers (e.g., foreign language, special education) become viable with larger student populations.
• Community Cohesion: A single, modern campus serves as a hub for extracurricular activities, fostering stronger neighborhood ties.

Practical Tips for Parents

1. Register for SchoolRide – Download the app and link your child’s profile to receive live bus arrival notifications.
2. attend Orientation Days – Two scheduled sessions (15 November 2025 & 12 January 2026) provide tours and meet‑the‑teacher introductions.
3. Utilize Transition Support – The school’s “Buddy Programme” pairs incoming students with current Ängsmogården pupils to ease social integration.

Case Study: Örnsköldsvik School Consolidation (2024)

• Background: Two primary schools merged into a newly expanded campus.
• Outcomes:
• 15 % reduction in per‑student operational costs.
• Introduction of a digital learning hub increased student engagement by 23 % (Örnsköldsvik Education Board report, 2024).
• Relevance: Demonstrates that Torvalla’s plan aligns with proven regional best practices.

Future Outlook for Torvalla Education Landscape

• The expanded Ängsmogården is slated to become a model school for sustainable architecture within the Västerbotten region, potentially influencing future municipal projects.
• Ongoing monitoring will assess enrollment trends, academic performance, and community satisfaction, with a formal review scheduled for summer 2027.

Sources:

• Västernorrland County Council, Meeting Minutes (12 Oct 2025).
• Torvalla Education Board, Feasibility Study (May 2025).
• Swedish National Agency for Education, Guidelines on Class Size (2023).
• Örnsköldsvik Education Board, Consolidation Report (2024).