Dwindling population could result in Duncan school closures

DUNCAN, Okla. (AP) _ Up to three elementary schools could be closed for the 2004-2005 school year because of declining population. <br><br>Duncan, a city of 22,500 people southeast of Lawton, now has 1,800

Thursday, November 21st 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

DUNCAN, Okla. (AP) _ Up to three elementary schools could be closed for the 2004-2005 school year because of declining population.

Duncan, a city of 22,500 people southeast of Lawton, now has 1,800 students attending seven elementary schools with many empty classrooms.

``It has nothing to do with the current economic crunch in Oklahoma,'' Superintendent Donnie Snider said. ``It's a decade of Duncan slowly losing (employers) and families.''

``We have 30 empty classrooms. That's like having an elementary school sitting there closed but having to be maintained with support people, heating and such things. It's just eating us up.''

Committees made up of parents, teachers, support personnel and administrators from each of the seven schools have been working to identify the schools to be closed.

Snider said the report needs to be finished in December so the school board in January can set a date for a special meeting to receive the report and hear public comment.

The remaining schools will be remodeled and renovated.

Construction will be done through the 2003-2004 school year for a fall 2004 opening.

Duncan is in the second year of a six-year bond program.