Clear Lake Reporter
Clear Lake, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Thursday, April 02, 2009

The Clear Lake School Board will hold the first of at least two hearings concerning the potential closing of Sunset School at its Monday, April 27 meeting.

Tentative start time for the hearing is 4:30 p.m., with the Board's regular meeting to follow at 5 p.m.

Superintendent Dwight PIERSON has provided School Board members with estimates as to how much money the district could save by closing the building and relocating pre-school and kindergarten students to available space at Clear Creek Elementary School.

PIERSON estimates an annual savings of $159,000 if Sunset, located on Mars Hill Drive, is closed. The majority of the savings would come in the areas of transportation ($55,000) and maintenance ($50,000). Insurance, telephone, food service and half-time custodian help would provide additional savings.

Elementary School Principal Mike BARKLEY had earlier informed the Board that Clear Creek Elementary School would have space available. The recently expanded Clear Creek, along with the continuing decline in enrollment, make it possible to house the roughly 200 students who now attend Sunset.

The sale of Sunset School is one of the ways the School Board is considering dealing with budget shortfalls.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2011