Jackson Co. BOE to discuss closing Benton Elementary

NICHOLSON - A hearing is planned Thursday night and another on February 5 with the Jackson County Board of Education to discuss the possible closure of Benton Elementary School.<br /> <br /> Thursday's meeting will be held at Benton at 6:30 p.m., while the February 5 meeting will be held at the Jackson County Board of Education office at 7:30 p.m.<br /> <br /> According to the school's website, a recommendation is planned for the BOE's meeting on February 9.<br /> <br /> A presentation available on the website (see first link below) says "Benton Elementary has less than base size enrollment and the greatest need for renovation."<br /> <br /> Benton's base size is 318 students; the state's base size is defined as 450 students.<br /> <br /> The presentation goes on to say that school's under the base size receive prorated funding from the state, which must be subsidized by the local district.<br /> <br /> Two other elementary school are also below the base size for 2014-15:<br /> <br /> -Maysville Elementary School (312)<br /> <br /> -North Jackson Elementary School (295)<br /> <br /> Both those schools have been renovated recently.<br /> <br /> Maysville was renovated in 2006 at a cost of $4.7 million, and also stands as the largest school zone in the county, with the greatest distance to any other school.<br /> <br /> North Jackson was renovated in 2009 for $1.7 million, and figures to get larger thanks to its proximity to West Jackson.<br /> <br /> The recommendation would come as part of the board's facilities plan, which is submitted once every five years.<br /> <br /> If the school is ultimately closed, students would attend either South Jackson ES or East Jackson ES, depending on proximity.