Beaufort County board closing school to save money

BEAUFORT, S.C. (AP) — Beaufort County school board members have voted to close an elementary school next year, calling it a fiscal necessity to disperse its nearly 500 students.

The Beaufort Gazette reports Saturday (http://bit.ly/pPhaOl ) that the board voted 6-5 to close Shell Point Elementary after the coming school year to save an estimated $890,000 in 2012-13.

Those who voted to close the neighborhood school say the district has already slashed math and literacy coaches and increased class sizes, and any further service cuts would hurt students district-wide.

Opponents called it shortsighted, and noted the school’s success in meeting federal education goals.

The school’s closure will cause a reshuffling of students at several schools.

The board is expected to vote next meeting on closing classrooms at 11 other schools.

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Information from: The Beaufort Gazette, http://www.beaufortgazette.com