AFC board votes to close middle school

ASHTON – Beginning next school year, students will not be attending classes at Ashton-Franklin Center Middle School in Franklin Grove. How long that will be the case remains to be seen.

The AFC school board on Monday approved a district reorganization plan, which closes AFC Middle School.

Beginning next school year, the AFC Elementary School, also in Franklin Grove, will house students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Students in the seventh through 12th grades will attend AFC High School, in Ashton.

The middle school building will be used only for practices and other school-related activities.

"This will not sacrifice educational programming for our students," district Superintendent John Zick said.

The main reason for the reorganization is a 10-year decline in enrollment and an education fund with a $362,000 deficit last year that could grow to $600,000 this year. That, school officials say, is a worst case scenario.

The reorganization will save the district an estimated $440,000.

District enrollment has dropped from 666 students in the 2004-05 school year to 520 this year.

“If enrollment comes back up, and the finances come back up, then it can be reopened," Zick said of the middle school.

School officials say the elementary and high school buildings will be able to accommodate all students without overcrowding.

But the budget cutting might not be done. There will be a public forum Tuesday to discuss potential cuts of certified staff members. Some positions would be cut based on attrition, Zick said, meaning a teacher who retires or resigns would not be replaced.

Zick would not say who, if anyone else, could be cut.

"This meeting will meet any legal requirements and it gives the public, the teachers association and employees a chance to address the board with questions and concerns," he said.

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