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River Valley board votes to close Plain Early Learning Center to save about $1 million ahead of referendum
Summary
The River Valley Board of Education voted to close the Plain Early Learning Center at the end of the 2024–25 school year, a move trustees say will yield roughly $1 million in annual savings and factor into referendum planning; administrators will present staff feedback and final configurations at January budget meetings.
The River Valley Board of Education voted at its regular meeting to close the Plain Early Learning Center (ELC) at the end of the 2024–25 school year, a board member motion that carried on a voice vote.
The decision followed budget committee recommendations and administrative presentations showing consolidation could produce immediate and continuing savings. A budget committee member told the board the district estimates $300,000 in first-year savings from closing the ELC and another roughly $700,000 from staffing and facility consolidation, totaling about $1,000,000 in annual savings.
Board members and administrators framed the move as part of broader referendum planning, not a measure to eliminate programs. A budget committee representative said the closure and other efficiencies are intended to preserve current courses, programs and class sizes while reducing operating costs before the district asks voters to approve supplemental funding. Administrators said they would survey staff, finalize building configurations and return recommended configurations to the January budget meeting and the January 9 board meeting.
The board's motion set the closure for the end of the 2024–25 school year and directed staff to proceed with planning steps tied to referendum timelines. An administrator noted that referendum numbers must be submitted to the Department of Public Instruction by Jan. 21 for placement on the April 1 ballot.
No formal layoff or staff reassignment details were final at the meeting; trustees emphasized the goal of minimizing impacts on programs and class sizes while achieving the stated savings. The motion carried on a voice vote.
