Closing a public school, especially a small one in a close-knit community, can be painful. No doubt that's why, in the past 30 years, only one school has closed — 'Anuenue, which later reopened as a charter, Hawaiian-language immersion school.

But economic realities and pure demographics show the need to take a closer look at school facilities. The Department of Education faces a $24 million budget shortfall this year, and a potential $70 million budget cut next year.

Serious efforts must be made to stretch the DOE's dollars, in some cases by closing or consolidating schools. Schools with extremely low enrollment, or in areas where students can be served equally by moving to a nearby school are cases in point. Communities that once consisted largely of young families may have needed three elementary campuses 30 years ago, but may now only need one. And as more residents — particularly young families in search of affordable homes — move out to west O'ahu, school resources may need to shift.

Clearly the schools superintendent is in the best position to make the assessment on closures. Under the current system, the responsibility for planning school closings rests with complex-area administrators, who too often are unable to make that emotional decision because of community and political pressure.

So it's good to see the Board of Education considering a plan to transfer that responsibility to the superintendent. The superintendent can weigh a broader range of options, such as consolidation among different complexes that border each other; local administrators are responsible only for the schools in their areas.

Under the plan, the complex-area school leaders will still have input. But it will alleviate community and political pressure, clearing the way for a more equitable decision.

The community will continue to play a role; the new streamlined process will include public hearings and other avenues to weigh in, and the final decision will still rest with the elected BOE.

Closing any school is a tough call. That decision must be made wisely, based on a broad range of factors, and with students' best interests at heart.