New Hampshire town will close elementary school

From The Concord Monitor: Facing a budget shortfall of more than $1.6 million, the Franklin (N.H.) School Board has decided to close the Bessie Rowell School and lay off 25 employees. The decision will bring the gap in revenue down to $317,000, according to district officials. Bessie Rowell, which houses grades 3 and 4, will be folded into Paul Smith School starting next year. The 182 students who now Bessie Rowell will join the 276 first- and second-graders at Paul Smith.