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Feedback: Ogdensburg To Close Sherman School A Year Early

Story Published: Feb 5, 2013 at 5:49 PM EDT

Story Updated: Feb 5, 2013 at 8:21 PM EDT

A looming budget crisis, along with low enrollment, is forcing the Ogdensburg City School District to make some tough decisions.

Superintendent Tim Vernsey says closing Sherman Elementary School a year early is one of them.

"We're in a serious financial crisis and anything we can do that's not going to totally disrupt the education of students should be looked at," said Vernsey.

The district needs to close a $2.5 million budget gap this year.

Shutting down Sherman Elementary will save about $150,000.

Ultimately, it came down to either closing Sherman Elementary School a year early or drastically cutting back on the school's programs and faculty.

The district decided to do what's best for the students.

"What was in the best interest of our students and the community was to keep our education program as solid as we possibly can. Eliminate the building and move the students early and close the school in June of 2013," said school board president Fred Bean. 

Next year, the 116 students at Sherman Elementary will be relocated to one of the three other elementary schools in the district.

But in two years, when yet another school - Lincoln Elementary - closes, the remaining two will house all the district's students in kindergarten through the sixth grade.

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Thursday, May 23, 2013
, Watertown, NY

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