Hearings begin over plan to shut three Stillwater schools
The Stillwater school district is holding a series of hearings in the next three days over a plan to close three of its 10 elementary schools.
The plan has drawn angry reactions from some parents who want their kids at nearby schools.
The district said it has too much space, with classrooms for 10,000 and only 8,300 students.
The proposed consolidation would close three of the district's smaller elementary schools including Marine, Oak Park and Withrow.
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The district said the move would provide balanced class sizes, better support services and save money.
A public hearing on the proposed Oak Park closing is scheduled for Tuesday night, with meetings for the other two schools Wednesday and Thursday.
All three meetings will be held at Oak-Land Junior High School in Lake Elmo.
The board is scheduled to vote on the recommendation Feb. 11.