Controversy continues in the Belmond-Klemme school district as over two-hundred-70 Klemme parents have signed a petition asking that the district be split up. The Belmond-Klemme school board voted in June to close the Klemme middle school due to financial problems. The closing prompted over 30 parents to open enroll their kids out of the district. Superintendant Richard Newkirk says the decision to close the middle school led to the rift.The petition asks the Area Education Agency to re-establish the Klemme School District or merge the area with the Garner-Hayfield district. Newkirk says that would be a first for the state if the district is broken up.The petition to break up the district has been presented to the Area Education Agency governing the district. The Agency will set a hearing on the petition at their December 20th meeting. It is unlikely the Klemme District would be re-established, as there are not enough students to meet mandatory state requirements.
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