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eTruth.com -- The Truth Online Edition!: "To close or not to close
Public meeting explores fate of elementary school
Published: Friday, April 15, 2005 -- The Truth, A1
Last updated: 4/14/2005 11:34:46 PM
By Stephanie Price
Truth Staff


Future uncertain
Flags fly in front of Middlebury Elementary School Thursday. The future of the facility, which was built in 1939, is uncertain as proposals for the corporation�s building projects are being considered.
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Photo: Jennifer Shephard / The Truth

MIDDLEBURY -- Discussion Tuesday night about the Middlebury Community Schools building project lasted well more than three hours.
And there were some tears.
'I'm passionate about Middlebury Elementary School,' said Chris Kauffman of C.R. 43. 'I'd hate to see it close,' she said, crying. 'I think it could be a huge mistake.'
Her comments were followed by applause.
Nearly 120 people came to a public work session to talk and hear about the potential of closing the oldest of Middlebury Schools' six school buildings, an option on the floor as the district plans a large-scale building project.
'Just to be clear, we have not decided to close it,' said Kent Yoder, school board president. 'We're here because we need to hear from the community about it.'
The community at Tuesday's meeting at Orchard View Elementary School was heavily populated with the Middlebury Elementary's teachers and staff, a group that stood up and applauded toward the end of the meeting when board member Delores Merrick offered this barometer: 'Let me hear, by show of applause, who would rather go ahead and pay what it costs to keep this school open rather than close it and have the cost savings,' she said.
The cost savings Merrick refere"