Several Iron Range schools to consolidate under plan
The St. Louis County School Board has approved a plan to shuffle several schools on the Iron Range, closing some and building others in more central locations.
The board's split vote on Monday puts the proposal up for a public vote this fall. If voters approve, construction could begin in May 2010. It's expected to cost about $78 million.
The Duluth News Tribune reports that most of the 27 people who spoke about the plan favored it. More than 200 residents attended the meeting.
Among other things, the plan calls for closing schools in Cook and Orr and replacing them with a new school between them. It would also close the AlBrook and Cotton schools and build a new school to serve the Alborn-Brookston-Cotton-Meadowlands areas.
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