Clarksville School District Moves to Combine Elementary Schools

by Stephanie CrosbyClarksville Community Schools is closing an elementary school effective next academic year. The board of education voted this week to close George Rogers Clark Elementary, at the recommendation of Superintendent Kim Knott. The district is facing a 980-thousand dollar budget shortfall next year.Knott says GRC students will be moved to Green Acres Elementary – which will be renamed Clarksville Elementary – and some staff will be moved, but some will be let go.“The other staff then will be transitioned into the new Clarksville Elementary," says Knott, "and I’ll be working with building principals to look at staffing needs and where staff will be assigned, but primarily that staffing process will take place in the next week to week and a half.”Knott says about 25 teachers have received preliminary notifications that their contracts may not be renewed next year, but she doesn’t know how many will end up being dismissed.Under the new plan, fifth graders at both GRC and Green Acres will be moved to a wing of the district’s middle school.