Roseburg (KMTR) - The Roseburg School District is looking at the possibility of closing Rose Elementary School, which has been educating Roseburg’s children for nearly a century.Closing the school would save the district $500,000 a year. Superintendent Larry Parsons says it could become necessary, because even after cutting $9 million over the last 3 years, the budget still isn't balanced.
Parsons says closing a school is not what anyone wants, but there are not a lot of alternatives.
“We've worked hard not to have that conversation here, but we've reached the point were we, at least, have to have the conversation. And do I have an issue with those parents who don't want their children's school to be closed? Absolutely not! I applaud them for caring about their children's education.”
Parents who are protesting the idea say the price students would pay for switching schools and being placed in larger classrooms is just too high to make closing Rose School worthwhile.
Rose School was established in 1904 with classes in all 12 grade levels. It is now in its third building, which was constructed on the same site in 1975.
