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Show lowed to finish at the school of their choice. Supt. Haslem was asked for a recommendation from a pure dollar and cents standpoint. stand-point. He said, consolidation consolida-tion of MHS and Minersville to Beaver would be cheaper. However, he did not think consolidation was the answer. an-swer. When growth comes, it could be far more expensive to rehabilitate Minersville Elementary and MHS. He estimated a possible saving of approximately $50,000 by moving all Minersville students stu-dents to Milford. Consolidation Consoli-dation to Beaver would require re-quire construction at Belknap Bel-knap and BHS which would result in no immediate saving, sav-ing, and with growth, probably prob-ably no future saving. Another An-other factor is that consoli dation" would cost the district dis-trict about $175,000 in small school funds that would effect ef-fect programs even in the consolidated school. Another argument against consolidation to Beaver is no land for expansion. The School District is already bonded to capactiy, and Milford Mil-ford schools could absorb Minersville students on any level without any construction construc-tion and only minor additions addi-tions in staff, actually con -stituting a cut in staff in the district. The concensus of those gathered was that .the District Dis-trict should try to keep Minersville Min-ersville Elementary open from Kindergarten to sixth grade. To transfer Minersville Miners-ville 7-12 to Milford either all at once, or gradually, 7-9 or 7-10 the first year, adding one grade each year until the transfer is com -plete. There was concern that Minersville might be shifted shift-ed back to Beaver when growth begins to fill Milford Schools. Supt. Haslem said the COUNTY NEWS quoted him correctly at the school board meeting, in that this was a possibility however, he said it was not a probability. proba-bility. Red Wilson pointed out that at that time, Minersville could probably have a choice, however, to shift back would probably mean costly con-(Continued con-(Continued on Page 2) Approximately ninety persons per-sons from Milford and Minersville Min-ersville heard Superintendent Superin-tendent Lynn Haslem explain the cold, hard facts of reduced re-duced enrollment at Milford High School and Minersville Elementary, last Thursday afternoon, and most were still around well after the Kanab-Milford ballgame got underway. There were no startling facts that had not already been covered by the COUNTY COUN-TY NEWS in previous articles and editorials, but it was the first time many had heard them from the Superintendent Su-perintendent and School Board members. James A. Mayer and Gary Sullivan, board members, were in attendance. at-tendance. Projected enrollments, excluding any growth show both Beaver High School and Milford High School with declining de-clining enrollments through 1982. BHS will begin to recoup re-coup then exceeding present enrollment by 1985. However, How-ever, Milford doesn't begin to recoup until 1985 and would only have 157 students by 1990 barring growth. Minersville Elementary faces the immediate situation situa-tion In the 5-6-7 -8th grades which would be forced into one classroom next year, with one teacher. Supt. Haslem Has-lem said he did not recommend recom-mend this, and The State School Board would probably not support it. . Because of the growth factor fac-tor which is in the future, if not the Immediate future, it is desirable to keep both school facilities open. Naturally Nat-urally accredation, and good extra-curricular programs are desirable in all schools. Asked how the transfer of Minersville students now going to BHS, to MGS would effect Beaver High, Haslem said BHS would still have approximately 20 students more than Milford. The logicial solution to maintain all schools seemed to be to transfer Minersville Miners-ville 7th through 12th to MHS. However, there was j sentiment that Minersville I students who will be 11th and 12th graders should be al- I HERE'S MORE ABOUT SGHOCLS struction- in both ends of the county. Additional construction construc-tion in Milford, where the district has plenty of room for expansion would be least expensive and could accom -modate growth as well as Minersville. It was also noted that it 'was possible that each com -. m unity might then have elementary, ele-mentary, schools,, with high schools in Beaver and Milford Mil-ford and Jr. High in Mlnersville. Mln-ersville. I Before the meeting broke :up, Sullivan asked how the group wished the board to ,vote. It was overwhelming that Minersville 7-12 should be brought to Mllford, as the best solution for the whole district. There were no dis-sentions. dis-sentions. It was generally understood under-stood that Minersville 8th grade must move one way or the other this next school : year. If Milford does not receive the Infusion of Mlnersville Mln-ersville into the high school, curriculum andextra-curri-cular programs will have to ibe cut, and without growth, it's possible MHS will have 1 to be closed In five-seven years. At least some sort of de- cision must be made at the board meetingatMinersville Elementary next Wednesday, Feb. 22, at 6:00 p.m. so that i staffing problems in all I schools can be taken care of ! right away for the next school . year. The public is welcome to attend that meeting. |