At what was called an almost last-minute meeting for parents of Salem Elementary School students to gather, parents learned that the placement of their children could change after a vote from the Dallas County School Board of Education at their next meeting.

With the possible closure of Salem Elementary School almost certain, there will be changes in the Orrville community as the students are consolidated to Keith School.

Change is hard for everyone especially when it comes to education and our children.

We must remember the reasons for this change.

Dallas County School Superintendent Hattie Shelton has laid out the facts that the school system is struggling with money and cutting costs is a must to keep the system going.

Shelton stated that the Dallas County Commission’s plan to repeal a half-cent sales tax that was split between the county school system and Selma City Schools was a big factor in her decision, which will go before the Dallas County Board of Education during its regularly scheduled meeting April 18.

“Right now, I don’t have any funds,” Shelton said. “Looking long term, I had to do a move so we can be financially stable.”

We need the system to be financially stable. If the system is not stable then it is unable to function at all.

Whatever the vote comes to be on April 18, we have to trust that these changes are not made quickly and that these decisions come with a plan to make it happen smoothly.