Baldwin School Could Close

In an effort to off-set a major budget shortfall, the Baldwin County Board of Education could close Vaughn Elementary School.

"It's a heart-breaker anytime that we have to look at perhaps closing a school but when you're faced with a 47 million dollar budget shortfall in two years, it requires difficult decisions and difficult choices," says Terry Wilhite, Director of Communications for the Baldwin County Board of Education.

Wilhite says closing Vaughn would save the school system millions of dollars.

"These are tough times in the education world and tough times demand tough decisions."

Vaughn is Baldwin County's smallest school, in fact, with only 120 students, the school doesn't meet state requirements to stay open. Alabama law requires elementary schools to have at least 140 students to be classified as an "approved" learning center. Another reason school officials are considering closing the campus.

"Closing this school would be a mistake," says Cynthia Morrissette who's been teaching at Vaughn for three years. "It's not about the money, it's about the children and giving them and education. The children here get a lot of one-on-one time."

If Vaughn closes, students would be bused to Bay Minette...tenured teachers would be transferred to other schools within the district. The Baldwin County Board of Education could make its decision as early as next week.