Picher-Cardin School Open For What May Be Last Year

Friday, August 17th 2007, 9:57 am

By: News On 6

PICHER, Okla. (AP) _ School is open for what may be the final year in the Picher-Cardin district in northeastern Oklahoma. Land in the area is contaminated from years of lead and zinc mining and there is the danger of land collapsing into open mine shafts and the water in Tar Creek is acidic and orange.

Picher has just 90 students in kindergarten through 12th grade and has no athletic, band or arts programs.

Many of those students are expected to leave when a federal buyout of their family's homes is complete.

It was expected the school would close at the end of the school year in the spring but patrons voted 142 to 132 in February to keep it open at least one more year.

Related stories:

12/13/2006 - Election Proposed To Annex Picher-Cardin School District

2/12/2007 - Voters Deciding Fate Of School District

3/3/2007 - Oklahoma Town Is A Toxic Waste Site