Rural schools may be closed

As the Custer School District Board of Education went through its budget for the 2012-13 school year, closing one or more of the district’s rural schools was discussed.

It appears that will be the case again this year.

At Monday night’s regular meeting, the board once again discussed which schools, if any, should be closed if current budget issues force the board’s hand. Board president Tim Wicks said he wanted to discuss the issue at the meeting, but stressed he wasn’t looking for any motion to close a school at this time.

School district superintendent Scott Lepke said the board better understands Spring Creek students’ isolation issues, as it is the only attendance center for miles for some of them. He said ideally, the district would like to keep all the schools open, but if that’s not possible, Fairburn may be the best one to close because of its proximity to Hermosa, only 12 miles, on a good four-lane highway that is well maintained.

“If I had to recommend (closing) something today, it would be Fairburn,” he said.

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