The Cherokee County (S.C.) School Board has voted to close three elementary schools as part of a consolidation plan.

WSPA-TV reports that the board voted 8-1 to close Alma, Goucher, and Mary Bramlett elementary schools in Gaffney, S.C., by next school year.

Each school will be merged into another existing elementary school: Goucher will merge with Limestone Central; Mary Bramlett will merge with BD Lee; and Alma will merge with Luther Vaughan.

Board member Lynne Shackleford says the savings from closing the schools will be used for student programs including foreign languages in elementary and middle schools, STEAM programs in all schools, and other programs.

Shackleford said no employees will lose their jobs as part of the consolidation. The district also intends to buy modular classroom units to accommodate the larger enrollment at the merged campuses

In 2019, the Cherokee County School District voted to close Granard Middle School. The school was consolidated into Gaffney and Ewing middle schools.