Citing low enrollment, the Collinsville (Illinois ) School Board has voted to close Jefferson Elementary at the end of the school year.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Jefferson students will be reassigned to either Summit or Twin Echo elementary schools, and all staff members will be offered jobs in the district.
Jefferson's enrollment this year was 79 students, according to the Illinois State Board of Education. Only nine students have registered next year to attend kindergarten at the school.
Collinsville's overall enrollment in its 11 schools is 5,779 students, down from 6,607 a decade ago. The district closed Hollywood Heights Elementary in 2009.
Summit Elementary has even fewer students than Jefferson--70. But the Jefferson building is not accessible to those with disabilities and Summit has one level.
Improvements that would be needed to keep Jefferson open, such as an elevator, a dedicated gymnasium and updated restrooms, would cost more than $1 million dollars, the district says.
