After no discussion amongst themselves the Paulding County Board of Education voted 5-1 Tuesday night to close P.B. Ritch Elementary School effective June 30. Nick Chester cast the dissenting vote.
Superintendent Cliff Cole told the board that the recommendation to phase out the school came from the need for repairs and renovations at the building. Cole said the school, which was built in 1985 as a middle school before being converted to an elementary school, has septic and HVAC issues.
The school system held two public hearings for feedback from the community before bringing the issue to the board for a vote. The board voted in April to put the school’s phase-out on the district’s five-year facilities plan.
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Two meetings will be held regarding redistricting for P.B. Ritch students, the first on Jan. 26 and the second on Feb. 9. Those hearings will be held at the school. School system officials have said that Baggett, Dugan and/or Hal Hutchens elementary schools could be set to take in students once P.B. Ritch closes.