PIERCETON — The Whitko Community Schools consideration of a closure of a local school has the community concerned.

Some individuals in the community became concerned when they have heard that the school board had discussed consolidating or closing a school due to budget concerns.

WCS Superintendent Steve Clason stated the board has been working on a five-year financial plan they hope to have completed by the end the school year. While no official plan has been set in place yet, in order to implement this plan, cuts must be made somewhere. The board must consider all the directions WCS could go in the next several years.

Clason stated the board has not ruled out closing a school, but they have also considered other possibilities such as changing class sizes.

Concerned individuals in the community have started a private Facebook group “Whitko Budget Discussions” to get the word out to the community about the possible closure of one of the schools.

Scott Peters, a Whitko graduate and father of a student in the district, who started the page states he is not upset with the proposition of a possible closure, rather it’s the fact that the school corporation has not been communicating effectively with the community about how seriously they are considering a closure. Individuals on the page have also have questioned how WCS got to the point where they would need to consider a closure due to the budget.

Recently, the school announced they will be holding four community meetings designed to garner community input about future goals for the school corporation. The announcement of the meetings does not mention that the district is considering a school closure.

Peters wants to get the word out to people about the meetings and the possibility of a school consolidation or closure so everyone can give their input.

Individuals who are concerned about the steps WCS may be taking without proper consideration started a petition that was posted on the page entitled, “Stop Whitko School Closure Proposal.” As of this afternoon, the petition had 253 signatures.

The petition reads,  “We, the signers of this petition, demand the Whitko school board stop exploring conversation of school closures until they have: Discussed and accounted with the community what their financial troubles are, and how we have arrived here. Given the community (and possibly outside consultants) a chance to be involved in proposing other options. Implemented other means of cutting budget BEFORE talking of closing any facility options (including bringing in outside consultants) All possible solutions have been thoroughly explored before a course of action is decided.”

A press release by the WCS stated during the meetings, the school corporation plans to share the state of the schools, present the board’s possible opportunities to reach future goals and leave time for community input, comments and questions.

The meetings will be held at the following times:

• 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30, at Whitko High School
• 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, at Pierceton Elementary School
• 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at Whitko Middle School
• 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at Whitko Middle School