The State Board of Education Thursday approved administrative law judge rulings that will lead to the closure of school buildings in the Newton and Prairie Valley school districts. Parents had appealed the closings, but the law judge and the Education Department ruled the district’s had sufficient credible evidence to reach their decisions.
Newton Superintendent, Steve McDermott, says he’s glad the issue is behind them so everyone’s focus is back on teaching kids. McDermott says they are still a school that is about fundamental education, and they want to make sure everyone understands that they haven’t moved away from that.
The parents in each case still have the option of appealing the decision to the district court.
By Randy Van, KCOB, Newton