PORT ANGELES –Monroe Elementary School students will walk through the schools’ halls, sit in their classrooms and see all of their friends and teachers together for the last time Thursday.
Monroe students, teachers, staff and several parents will participate in an all-school field day to bid adieu to their school on the last day of the 2003-04 school year, said Port Angeles School District Student Services Director Ron Spanjer.
“The last day of school is always important, but this year at Monroe it will hold special meaning,” Spanjer said.
“It will give kids additional time with friends they may not see over the summer and who may be going to different schools than them next year.”
School Board action
The School Board voted 4-1 Monday night to close the school, located at 102 Monroe Road.
Cindy Kelly was the only board member to vote against closing the school, as she has continually voted during a three-month closure process begun in March.
The school, built in 1949, will be shuttered June 30 and remain closed until enrollment numbers justify the district needing six elementary schools again, .
About 200 Monroe students will be divided between Franklin and Fairview elementary schools.
Schools Superintendent Gary Cohn said various district administrators are going to the school this week to help Monroe students, teachers and parents with the transition.
Closing the school is intended to prevent a projected $300,000 deficit in the district’s operating budget during the 2004-05 school year.
School Board members say closing the school will save about $378,000 annually because six staff positions will be eliminated, including the principal, a secretary, a custodian and three teachers.
No staff layoffs are needed because teacher, custodial and secretarial positions occurred through attrition.
Monroe Principal Sue Gribble will be employed elsewhere in the district.