BRAINERD COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS CLOSING ONE SCHOOL, RE-USING ANOTHER

The Brainerd School Board Finance Commmittee voted on Thursday to recommend closing Whittier Elementary and re-using Lincoln Elementary for the Minnesota Learning Center site. The committee also approved the non-renewal of 57 teacher contracts, re-drawing the district's bus schedules, and closing open enrollment. The board has to reduce its budget by more than $5-Million by the end of June next year. Board member Reed Campbell said the actions were inevitable. Finance Committee Chair Bob Nystrom said the heat will be turned down next year at Whittier and it could be used again in 3-5 years. Nystrom said an up-tick in live births in the area in the last couple of years indicates more kids in the future. All 57 teachers will be told their contracts will not be renewed for school year 08/09 but Superintendent Jerry Walseth said some of them will probably be hired back depending upon their qualifications and position on the union seniority list. The final decision to close schools will be made the full board in December. Public hearings will be held on the closings in late December.