Fewer kids, $, blamed for closing school

MONTICELLO, Ind. (WLFI) - As soon as the fall of 2013, Twin Lakes School Corporation could close Woodlawn Elementary School.

School board members agreed to Superintendent Tom Fletcher's recommendation during Tuesday night's meeting.

Several options have been studied and discussed in the last few months.

Fletcher said with declining enrollment, there's not enough children to fill the current four elementary schools.  Elementary enrollment is currently at about 1,150 children, but in seven years, it's projected to be at 960.

The board agreed Tuesday to build a 5th grade wing on the campus of Meadowlawn Elementary School for all 5th graders in the corporation.  As soon as those eight classrooms are complete, Woodlawn will close.  Woodlawn students in grades K-4 will be sent to the other three schools.  

"It's definitely a head and heart situation," said Woodlawn Principal Gloria Kinnard.  "My head tells me it's the thing we need to do for financial reasons.  My heart tells me it's sad to see a neighborhood school go."

Shutting down Woodlawn will save the Twin Lakes about $300,000 a year.

"This does make sense.  We are not going to make everyone happy, but in the long run we are going to be able to educate the kids, in a better balanced elementary environment," Fletcher said.

Fletcher said Woodlawn will not close mid-year.  It could happen as early as the fall of 2013, otherwise he anticipates it closing for the fall of 2014.