PORT ANGELES — The process to close Monroe Elementary School continues, but School Board member Cindy Kelly says she will continue working to keep the school open.
Kelly said she stands firm in her belief there are other ways than closing a school to prevent a projected $300,000 operating budget deficit in the Port Angeles School District.
Kelly is the only board member who holds the opinion.
The four other members of the board reaffirmed Wednesday night that making other budget cuts throughout the district would be more damaging to more children than closing Monroe in June.
“I just cannot support closing a school,” Kelly said.
“I have come up with cuts or ways to change spending that will not directly affect kids, and I know there are more.”
Kelly said until the board makes the final closure decision on June 14, she will study the district’s budget in search of savings.