By Dewey Terrill
JC Post
Geary USD 475 Board of Education members in session Tuesday night at the Devin Center, voted in favor of closing Grandview Elementary School and the H.D. Karns Building which houses the district's Alternative School. The closures would be effective at the end of the current school year.
The future plan is to send elementary school students in Grandview Plaza to either Spring Valley or Sheridan Elementary schools in Junction City and move the H.D. Karns students to the Grandview Elementary facility.
The vote to close the Grandviw Elementary School was 5-2. A second motion received unanimous approval. Superintendent Dr.Reginald Eggleston said it would give the City of Grandview Plaza first opportunity if they want to purchase the facility "or to use it for some type of community involvement."
Eggleston said the District plans to move forward with putting the Karns students in there, "and then at some point in time in the future continue to have conversations with the Grandview community." Eggleston added that the District feels that it's the best facility currently available. "It's one level. It has all the amenities that we would need."
The Board voted 7-0 to close the Karns building. The intent is to put it on the market. If it doesn't sell USD 475 could possibly dispose of it and then determine a future use for the property. Before any sale could occur State Board of Education approval would be necessary.
The closures are occurring due to budget challenges facing the school district.