ALLEGHANY COUNTY, Va. -- As they stare down a $756,000 budget hole, Alleghany County schoolleaders say they're left with little choice but to close twoelementary schools. During their meeting Monday night, the Alleghany County SchoolBoard directed Superintendent Dr. Sarah Campbell to move forwardwith the process to close both Boiling Spring Elementary and SharonElementary for the 2012-2013 school year. A public hearing and final vote of the board is required before theclosures become final. About 100 parents packed the meeting room at Clifton Middle Schoolas school leaders laid out the proposal. The school division says after factoring in funding cuts andrequired expenditure increases (i.e. Virginia Retirement Systemcontributions), then eliminating positions and making other cuts,they were left with a $756,718 budget deficit to make up. Earlier this month, they went to the Alleghany County Board ofSupervisors with a request for that much in additional funding --but were told the county could only swing an additional $300,000,unless they increased taxes significantly. Campbell says enrollment then became a major factor in where thebudget cut discussions went. She says over the years the number of elementary school students inAlleghany County has steadily declined, more than 400 fewer than in2005. In addition to that, all of the county's elementary schoolsare well below capacity -- and from an operations standpoint, shesays, it makes more dollars and sense to consolidate. The school division estimates closing both schools would saveanywhere from $800,000 to $1 million. School board member Billy Angle, who represents the SharonDistrict, said he would not support the plan -- and instead calledon the board to let both schools stay open for 1 more year. Hesays he believes there are other places they can make cuts and didnot feel like a solid plan to relocate students and faculty couldcome together before next school year. The remaining six board members reluctantly indicated their supportfor closing the schools, saying they don't take the situationlightly. A public hearing and final vote on the matter was scheduled for6:00pm on June 4, 2012 at the Clifton Middle School Auditorium. Following the meeting, parents who attended were visibly shaken andin some cases shedding tears. I am an expert from auto-filling-machine.com, while we provides the quality product, such as Automated Packaging Equipment , Bottle Filling Machine Manufacturer, Liquid Filling Machines,and more.
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