(Kingsford Heights, IN) - Residents of Kingsford Heights are worried about whether the grade school in that town is going to close, as the La Porte School District is studying the possibility of closing a school and cutting staff because of enrollment decline.

 

Orlando Dunlap, 61, said he went to Kingsford Heights Elementary School, still lives in the community, and that one of his concerns is busing students to another elementary building elsewhere in the district.

 

Dunlap also said he's afraid the loss of a major customer like the school would mean residents would have their utility bills increased significantly to absorb the loss of revenue. The town is the provider of electricity and gas, along with sewer and water service, in the town.

 

“It’ll damage this town totally,” he said.

 

He described the school as a “beacon of light” to the community and without it fears the recent construction of new housing in the area would stop because a school is a selling point for prospective developers and home buyers.

 

Dunlap said residents are going to meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Community Building to discuss the situation.

 

Interim Superintendent Dr. Peggy Hinckley said she hopes any decision to close a school or cut staff will be made no later than the April 15th meeting of the school board.