Union Elementary School will close its doors permanently as part of a reconfiguration plan approved Monday night by the Maumee board of education.

Constructed in 1870, the building at 102 East Broadway St. is one of the oldest still-functioning schools in Ohio.

The decision to close it, on a 4-0 vote with one member absent, has not come lightly or quickly, noted board President Sylvia Washburn.

But, she said, it was a decision that needed to be made now so that teachers, students, and parents would know what was going to happen. Delaying, she said, ultimately would hurt families and staff.

Closing the school, which has an enrollment of 277 in kindergarten through fifth grade, is part of Maumee's reconfiguration plan to have two K-3 buildings and one for grades 4 and 5. District enrollment is declining.

With some exceptions, students who would be entering kindergarten through third grade and who reside east of Key Street could be assigned to Fort Miami School, and those west of Key Street could be assigned to Fairfield School. Students who would have been entering fourth or fifth grade at Union could be reassigned, along with fourth and fifth graders from all other elementary schools in the district, to Wayne Trail School.

Superintendent Greg Smith, who remarked last night that he attended kindergarten at Union School, has advised the board that, in light of impending districtwide staff retirements and resignations, he anticipates he will be able to reassign most, if not all, of Union's certified staff to other buildings in the district, without the need for cuts.

Closing Union and reconfiguring schools has been discussed on and off for several years. Most recently, a committee of elementary school teachers, principals, and other district staff members has met at length to review elementary school configuration options.

Public meetings were held to outline the plan and address questions. Monday night only one person, Kathi Sund of Maumee, voiced concerns to the board, saying, "The decision to close Union School would be a sad day for the students, teachers, staff, and the neighborhood."

She described the neighborhood school as "a security blanket we all depend on" and said the board's plan would be disruptive to families and to the community.

A parent of four Maumee High School graduates and "a proud supporter of Maumee's excellent education system," Mrs. Sund noted that the projected saving would be about $350,000 a year when Union closes but questioned, "What will be the final cost to the children whose lives will be drastically changed?"

Even with the projected saving, the district faces a budget deficit of $4.5 million in 2014, and that number could climb, depending on state funding cuts. The district's five-year forecast shows a carryover balance of $268,158 in June, 2012; passage of the 5.9-mill operating levy during the May special election would increase that figure to $1.3 million.

Initially, shifting Union students to other Maumee schools was considered because of financial constraints, but recent discussions indicate proposed changes would result in a better educational environment, officials said.
Reassignments would not add more than 15 minutes to any student's travel time.

School officials hope to find a new owner for Union through sale or lease.

Voting in favor of the reconfiguration plan were Mrs. Washburn, Bob Righi, Janet Wolff, and Stephanie Piechowiak. Glenn Rambo was absent.

When the building was constructed, it was Maumee High School.

Contact Janet Romaker at: jromaker@theblade.com or 419-724-6006.

First Published March 29, 2011, 4:30 a.m.