Pike County School Board announces Otwell Elementary to close

Seven teachers and an administrator have been fired will be let go and Otwell Elementary School will be closed at the end of the 2015-16 school year.

Those actions were taken by the Pike County School board Monday night as they attempt to deal with budget issues and the possibility of lower funding from the state.

An operational tax referendum attached to the May primary that would have generated about $2.3 million in additional taxes annually was overwhelmingly voted down by residents. School officials at the time stated that drastic actions would likely be needed.

The move to close the school — which needed an estimated $2 to $3 million in repairs, according to officials — and release the teachers was approved at Monday night’s regular school board meeting.

The move is estimated to save the school corporation about $700,000 in annual expenses.