Board votes to close 2 Indy elementary schools

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Another Indiana school district is facing tough times.

Last month, the Warren Township School Board was presented with recommendations to balance their school budget. Wednesday night, the school board voted to close two schools, eliminate teaching positions and several school programs.

About 100 parents and administrators gathered inside Warren Township’s central office to hear the school board’s decisions. The board said they had to reduce their general operating budget by four million dollars. All board members voted “yes” to close Heather Hills and Morehead Elementary Schools in the district.

The Warren Township School board evaluated 11 elementary schools in the district and determined that, out of all the schools, Heather Hills and Morehead Elementary needed the most upgrades, construction and had other costly issues.

24-Hour News 8 talked with a parent who now has to enroll her daughter in another school.

"I’m comfortable really because all of the schools in this district are good ones. They are very close to our house. The schools that they mention that the kids would relocate to, they are right down the street. They are right around the corner. So we would have to go another minute to get to the other schools," said Warren Township parent Latricia Denning.

Because of the two school closures, about 10 teachers will lose their jobs. Some school administrators’ positions will also be moved to accommodate the closures. Also, a number of after-school programs have been cut.

A board member said that these closures and cuts were necessary in order to balance their budget. She said if the economic conditions don’t improve it could be much worse in 2011.