Enrollement decline could force the closure of one of the district's schools (WHO) |
A local school district says a shrinking student population may mean it has to consolidate its elementary and middle schools. The Manson Northwest Webster District says it has more money than it can legally spend on its current number of students.
So, either Manson will lose its elementary school or nearby Barnum will lose its middle school. Tuesday night at a public meeting, architects agreed the district's middle school in Barnum is a better building.
Under their plan, the elementary would shut down in Manson. The middle school in Barnum would house pre-kindergarten through sixth-grade. Seventh-graders would move to the high school.
That way, each town gets to at least have one building open.
"Well, it never helps, but you know, I think it's inevitable. The people at the meeting last night had kind of already drawn their own conclusions that, 'Yes, we're going to have to close a facility,'" says Bruce Collmann of Manson.
Three nearby districts completed similar closings within the last year.
The board could vote on the plan next week, after another public hearing.
So, either Manson will lose its elementary school or nearby Barnum will lose its middle school. Tuesday night at a public meeting, architects agreed the district's middle school in Barnum is a better building.
Under their plan, the elementary would shut down in Manson. The middle school in Barnum would house pre-kindergarten through sixth-grade. Seventh-graders would move to the high school.
That way, each town gets to at least have one building open.
"Well, it never helps, but you know, I think it's inevitable. The people at the meeting last night had kind of already drawn their own conclusions that, 'Yes, we're going to have to close a facility,'" says Bruce Collmann of Manson.
Three nearby districts completed similar closings within the last year.
The board could vote on the plan next week, after another public hearing.
