School board to hold hearing on potential school closings

By MELINA DOWNS
For the Stafford County Sun
Published: October 15, 2008

The Stafford County School Board will hold a public hearing tonight for the community to voice their opinions on the proposed closing and replacement of several county schools.

The meeting will take place at 6 p.m. at Brooke Point High School.

Citizens, however, have been speaking out against the proposed closings for more than a month, including handing board members 645 signed petitions against any closings from parents, teachers and other community members during their regular meeting last night.

“You do not have the support of the voters in this community to close the schools,” said one citizen during the meeting.

Among the options being considered by the School Board for elementary school replacement and closings includes renovating or replacing Ferry Farm, Falmouth and Grafton elementary schools and closing Moncure and Stafford elementary schools.

All of the options include replacing and closing at least two elementary schools.

The middle school closing options being considered are closing Drew and Stafford middle schools or one of aforementioned schools.

The School Board plans to make a decision, which could include not closing or replacing any schools, by their next regular meeting Oct. 28.

For more information on the school closings visit http://stafford.schoolfusion.us/ and click on ES Attendance Zone Study or MS Attendance Zone Study under the District Links tab.

Melina Downs is a contributing writer at the Stafford County Sun.