One week after touring the middle and high school buildings to see how they would absorb elementary classes, the Benton-Carroll-Salem school board approved a resolution to close Carroll and Graytown schools for the 2012-13 school year.

Board members also gave their approval for the district to implement single-route busing for the 2012-13 school year. Currently, the district uses two routes in the morning – one for the high school and middle school – and another for elementary students as well as one route in the afternoon.

Under a single-route plan, there will only be one route in the morning and one in the afternoon.

The board anticipates a savings of about $100,000 with a single-route format, said Rick Bast, board president.

The planned closing of Carroll and Graytown schools continues a consolidation plan that included the closing of Rocky Ridge Elementary School prior to the current school year.

In all, more than $1.2 million in spending cuts were enacted before schools opened this year, according to board figures.

Prior to the Nov. 8 election, the board announced the closing of Graytown and Carroll schools if an operating levy ballot issue failed.

Voters rejected the 3.9-mill, 5-year levy as they did in August when they turned down the same millage amount that would have generated an additional $1.32 million annually for the Ottawa County school system.

Cuts to begin January, 2012 include implementing a pay-to-participate fee for athletics as well as a fee for using school facilities, a fee for “Biddy “ programs, and a transportation fee for field trips.

Board members have scheduled a special meeting for Dec. 6 at 7:30 a.m.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Dec. 20 at 6 p.m. 

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed