Baugo school system faces possibility of closing elementary school

ELKHART COUNTY — Many school districts across Indiana are considering belt-tightening measures as state funding continues to disappear. The goal is to avoid staff layoffs or cutting programs. The Baugo school system in Elkhart County needs to trim more than $700,000 dollars from its budget Officials may close an elementary school indefinitely. They are thinking about putting one school in moth balls to save money, then to have the students from there consolidate into existing classroom space. “We have to do something, unfortunately our school is the one to go,” parent Rusty Hill said. School officials in Baugo Township are taking a hard look at the possibility of temporarily closing Jimtown North Elementary. The school has an enrollment of around 300 students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd. Superintendent Jim DuBois says it could close for a year or two. “One of the things we have looked at is idling Jimtown North, that would save us about $250,000,” he said. “Which would equal about five teachers that we would not need to lay off. We do have space on the main campus here to bring just under 300 kids over on this campus.” He says if they opt to idle the school, it could help with four priorities the school system is working on. “Pay all of our bills, keep everybody employed that we can and also maintain class sizes,” DuBois said. “And then do a better job of serving the kids and serving the community.” He says the school system is looking at different options and things that it can do to cut and be more efficient. Parents have mixed feelings about the idea. They know that school budgets are tight, whether in this district or others around the state, and know that something has. “I would rather see them consolidate and not lose the teachers that we have and the staff we have because they are really, really good,” Hill said. “The kids need the one-on-one with the teachers if they’re going to cut anything, maybe like the playground equipment, and the new equipment they are putting in,” parent Penny Williamson said. “Well we really like this school and it’s close to our home,” parent Shannon Cooper said. “Now if that would close, we would have to figure out a place to take our daughter and she is comfortable here.”