Superintendent Carl Martin said today that the decision to determine the fate of Chauncey Elementary — originally scheduled for Thursday evening — has been postponed.
“The Athens City School Board wanted more time to review all the information they received,” said Martin.
The Athens Messenger originally broke the news earlier today.
At the Board meeting held on Jan. 11, Martin advocated for closing Chauncey in
order save the district money.
“Closing the building would be a huge savings. We would expect to save close to a million dollars,” said Martin.
At the previous Board meeting, more than 160 parents and faculty expressed the disapproval and made alternate suggestions including reconstructing the grade levels, which would move Chauncey’s sixth grade to the Athens Middle School.
The other options presented were to expand Chauncey’s class sizes or to cut music, art and physical education programs.
Athens City Schools Treasurer Matt Bunting said the district anticipates losing about $500,000 in 2012.
“Lots of factors are reducing our revenue, including school programs and insurance, so we have to make cuts in our expenses in order to keep up, which may ultimately be closing Chauncey,” said Bunting.
Martin now says that the Board would like to take additional time to review the financial forecast and alternate options until the scheduled meeting on Feb 23.
