Even though voters in USD 282-West Elk voted down a bond issue earlier this fall, apparently thinking it might save their elementary schools in Severy and Moline, it now appears the schools will close anyway.

At Monday night’s board of education meeting, it was proposed that the Severy and Moline schools close, although a vote was not taken on the actual closure.

The board did vote to hold a public hearing on Monday, Jan. 4, in the West Elk Auditorium at Howard, to gather input on the proposal.

Supt. Cory Reese told Prairie Star that details will be hammered out by the board and committees but it appears that modular units will be purchased to accommodate the creation of eight new classrooms on the Howard campus.

See this week’s Prairie Star for more information on this breaking story.