Hall school board to discuss elementary school consolidation

GAINESVILLE - Parents of all Jones Elementary School students will get a letter from Principal Hank Ramey today, notifying them of the possibility that the school may be closed.

At the Board of Education's last work session on March 8, Superintendent Will Schofield floated the idea of closing an elementary school to help close the budget cap created by cuts from the state.

Jones has been targeted for consideration for a number of reasons, according to the letter that parents will see today:

Jones Elementary projected FY 2011 enrollment is 350 students

Hall County Schools has vacant elementary classroom space for 750+ students within five miles of Jones

Jones facility built in 1949

Projected savings to the district of over $1 million annually

Jones has current facility improvement needs of approximately $350,000

No firm decision has been made to close Jones, according to a press release from the school system. If the school board determines closing Jones is a viable money-saving option, a public meeting will be scheduled to gather community input.

The Hall County Board of Education meets in regular session this afternoon at 5:00 p.m.