Come next school year, there will no longer be a Galien Township School District. The School Board voted Monday night to close its doors at the conclusion of the 20011-12 school year.
Board President Anne Goodenough sited low enrollment as the primary reason for closing down.
"We had families who remained loyal, but there are not enough students returning to our district to keep it open. It is the fault of no one thing and no one here," said Goodenough in a press release sent out Tuesday morning.
The school started the year with 122 students. Now there are 80, and only 22 were enrolled for the fall.
Superintendent Tim Allard says some teachers and staff members have found jobs for the fall, but about ten will spend summer break searching.
Students who would have attended Galien Township schools in the fall will now head to one of two neighboring school districts. Students will go to either Buchanan Community Schools or the River Valley School District. Final arrangements with these school districts will be settled over the summer.
Allard said the 6-1 decision was "agonized over" by board members. "The Galien Township Schools Board of Education should be commended for seeking every possible solution and opportunity to secure funding to remain open and vibrant as a school district," said Allard.
"We're disappointed. We just moved here to Galien. A lot of the reason is because of the school. It's small. Small class sizes and stuff but we're disappointed," says Peggy Sampson, whose son goes to Galien.
Many are disappointed, but not everyone is surprised.
"No shock. No shock. I've been waiting for it for the past 10 years. You just hope it doesn't come, but the day came," says parent Kim Wieczorek.
Families are encouraged to contact Galien Township Schools for further information and to answer any questions they might have related to their child's education by calling (269) 545-3365.
