State upholds closing of Ely kindergarten

Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2000 | 10:48 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The Murry Street Elementary school in Ely for kindergarten students will remain closed for this school year, but the state Board of Education says this issue should be reconsidered next year.

After a public hearing of more than six hours in Ely last Friday, the state board voted to uphold the decision of the White Pine County School Board, which shut down the school as an economy measure. But the state board wasn't happy.

Keith Rheault, deputy state superintendent of public instruction, said Monday the board agreed the closure should continue because students had already been transferred two months ago to the Norman Elementary School and were receiving equal or better services. The board didn't want to disrupt classes again by another move.

But the state board wasn't happy that the White Pine board failed to communicate with the parents about the proposed closure. Rheault said the state board expects the issue to be revisited next year and it "strongly suggested" the school be reopened in September 2001.

This was the first time in at least 25 years in which parents have launched an appeal to the state board to overturn the closure of a school. Rheault said the closure of Murry saved about $50,000. Opponents suggested that of the total, $39,000 was for the salary of a secretary. They argued the secretary could have been eliminated and the rest made up in other savings.

Rheault said the school board, in developing its budget for this school year, eliminated funding for Murry school in April but didn't tell anyone until two or three months later.

About 200 people attended the meeting which ended shortly before midnight.

Rheault said there was a case in the 1970s in Humboldt County where a small school was closed. Parents objected and the courts overturned the decision. That was the last case he could find.