Baldwin School Closing

With a unanimous vote, The Baldwin County School Board voted to shut down The Alternative School in Fairhope. But, as for the other school on the chopping block, Baldwin County School Spokesperson Terry Wilhite says "The board decided to table the issue of closing Vaughn Elementary with a 4 to 3 vote."

School Officials refer to The Alternative School in Fairhope and Vaughn Elementary in Stockton as just two steps on a very long road to saving money. Wilhite adds, "Vaughn Elementary is Baldwin's most expensive campus to operate based on the number of students...$1.6 million for just 120 students at Vaughn. It costs the system $1.5 million at the Alternative School for just 60 students." School officials are forced to make budget cuts while trying to prevent teacher layoffs. "85% of the district's budget is payroll, leaving only 15% to whack from expenses before employees have to be laid off", says Wilhite.

School Officials are expected to find out Monday how much help they'll get from the economic stimulus package, but, say they don't expect the $47 million needed. Because of a short fall in sales tax revenue...Baldwin Schools are cutting $23 million this year and expect a $24 million cut next school year.

School Officials are expected to meet with community leaders next week about holding a public hearing on the fate of Vaughn Elementary.