The Greene County School Board met in special session Wednesday night.

About 60 people attended the meeting where the Board passed a 6 to 1 vote to close the intermediate building in Grand Junction. The decision came after a public forum meeting was held last Wednesday at the intermediate building in which over 100 people attended and the Board heard public comments.

Wednesday night’s meeting started with a review of two options for the Board to consider. Plan A was to close the intermediate building at the end of the 2016-17 school year, build an addition onto the elementary building in Jefferson and move fifth and sixth graders into the middle school with the possibility of using portable classrooms due to increase class sizes. The projected savings by closing the intermediate building was $333,111.

Plan B was to reduce two full-time teaching positions, one full-time music teacher position, two to three full time career and technical education teacher positions and limit college courses for high school students. The projected savings was estimated to be between $285,000 and $341,000.

The Board had to file their decision with the state’s school budget review committee and make a presentation in December after the certified enrollment showed a decline of 50 students for a reduction in budget of $330,000.

Superintendent Tim Christensen mentioned at the meeting that a facility study committee was created in May of 2013 to develop a plan of how they see the school district in ten years and the bond was part of the committee’s plan, which has failed twice. Christensen noted that the bond failing doesn’t change the plan to move forward to try and be more efficient by reducing buildings.

Following some public comments, Board President Dr. David Ohrt said he felt that it was the teachers and staff of the district that gave students the best possible education and that the buildings are a tool and can be changed.

Board member Ashley Johnston made the motion to present to the SBRC that they close one building, but do more research before deciding whether or not to close the intermediate or middle school building. The motion died due to lack of a second by another board member.

Board member Dr. Mark Peters then made the motion to present Plan A to the SBRC, which passed by the 6 to 1 vote, with the lone “no” vote from Johnston.

The Board then approved the supplemental allowable growth request for the negative unspent balance.