Small Arkansas School Stays Open, Superintendent Says Bad Move
By: Deedra Wilson, KARK 4 News
Updated: December 11, 2012
The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) has split down the middle, on whether to close Gillett Elementary in the DeWitt School District.
The district petitioned for an order to close the school back in September. The ADE denied the request. That decision was reconsidered on Monday.
A vote of 4 to 4, meant no action would be taken and the school would remain open.
Superintendent Gary Waymon, wasn't happy with the outcome. "We have 76 students down there, some buildings needing repair, and we are losing $240,000 dollars a year by keeping that campus open," he said after the ADE's decision.
The superintendent said he doesn't know where the money will come from to operate Gillett Elementary.
The district petitioned for an order to close the school back in September. The ADE denied the request. That decision was reconsidered on Monday.
A vote of 4 to 4, meant no action would be taken and the school would remain open.
Superintendent Gary Waymon, wasn't happy with the outcome. "We have 76 students down there, some buildings needing repair, and we are losing $240,000 dollars a year by keeping that campus open," he said after the ADE's decision.
The superintendent said he doesn't know where the money will come from to operate Gillett Elementary.
