JIMTOWN -- Jimtown North Elementary School will close its doors for at least two years, beginning next year.
During a meeting Monday night, the Baugo Community Schools Board of Trustees unanimously approved a recommendation by Superintendent Jim DuBois to idle North. The board also approved a recommendation reconfiguring the locations for students in grades K-6.
The decision to idle North was not an easy one for the board to make. Member David Polston said before voting that he initially was opposed to the idea. But after speaking with teachers and community members, Polston said he decided idling the school is the right call.
"I think in a few years we'll look back and say at the time that was the right thing to do," he told the board.
Board President Edward Collins echoed Polston's sentiments.
"This is just the first of the tough decisions we'll have to make," he said.
Idling the school is the first official action Baugo has taken to make up for the more than $700,000 in state tuition losses expected this year. Officials believe that idling North can save the district about $250,000 per year. DuBois has said he hopes the school will be reopened in the future, possibly in a different capacity.