Voters Reject Plan To Close School

PICHER, Okla. (AP) Picher residents vote to reject plans that would've allowed the school district to be annexed by neighboring districts. <br/><br/>According to unofficial results from the Ottawa

Wednesday, February 14th 2007, 10:24 am

By: News On 6

PICHER, Okla. (AP) Picher residents vote to reject plans that would've allowed the school district to be annexed by neighboring districts.

According to unofficial results from the Ottawa County Election Board, the plan failed 142-132 Tuesday.

Patrons were deciding whether to close schools that have seen major enrollment declines as people move away from the old mining area, which is an Environmental Protection Agency Superfund site.

Had voters approved the annexation, local schools would've closed on July 1st. Since they rejected it, the district will continue to operate next school year.

Commerce and Quapaw schools have granted hundreds of student transfers from Picher-Cardin during the past two years, and both their school boards have agreed to annex Picher-Cardin.

Enrollment in grades kindergarten through 12 in Picher-Cardin schools has declined to 145 and many extra-curricular activities like band and athletics have been eliminated.