The Darlington County School District will begin the task of combining the two elementary schools, along with move the middle in the town of Lamar.
The Darlington County Board of Education voted on the decision Monday night.
Both Lamar and Spaulding Elementary will move into Spaulding Middle to make one school.
Spaulding Middle will shift to the Lamar Elementary facility near the high school.
“[I was] surprised,” said Thomasena Davis, president of the group.
“Shocked…it feels right now like a death in the family,” added Mary Ann Mack, who is the treasurer.
Both Davis and Mack serve on the Spaulding Alumni Association.
Their children also attended both Spaulding schools.
“We want to see our children get better opportunities then we had…and you got to start by being honest and open with people,” Davis explained.
They say they were blindsided by the news.
“To have this happen and not even be consulted…sure I’m offended,” mentioned Davis.
“There’s going to be a closed building behind my home and around other people, we want to know. You know we live here every day so we want to know what’s happening,” Mack said.
The district says closing Spaulding Elementary will save the district between $50,000 and $100,000 a year.
They say the shift of the middle school will expand opportunities for its students.
An aging facility and population changes was a factor in the decision.
“What can we do as a community to make sure that this is a successful change for our students as well as and healing from being totally left out,” Davis stated.
The district says they will hold meetings for parents and the community.
These changes will go into effect for the 2016-2017 school year.
