Mathews bows to pressure to keep Neal Middle open

VIENNA

In an apparent bow to intense public opposition, Mathews school board voted to keep the 90-year-old Neal Middle School open until the end of the 2010-11 school year, reversing earlier indications that the building would close at the end of the current semester.

The board had also considered moving Neal’s seventh- and eighth-graders into Mathews High School, a move criticized by parents and teachers in a work session. Those transfers, along with moving sixth-graders into Baker Elementary, still will take place, but only after Neal is closed, according to the motion approved by the board.

Wednesday night’s vote, however, was not unanimous. Three members voted in favor of the Neal extension, but two others, Brian Stidham and David Wise, abstained.

“This is going to cost us,” said Kenneth Wallace, board president.

Other board members indicated the district will have to seek additional funding through a levy sooner than anticipated.

For the full story, read Wednesday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.