The Dallas County Board of Education (DCBOE) voted to close Salem Elementary School on Thursday night at the Dallas County Board of Education meeting.

The Board approved Dallas County Schools Superintendent Hattie Shelton’s recommendation to merge Salem Elementary to Keith Middle-High School Campus.

DCBOE President Leroy Miles, Jr. along with board members Roy Edwards and Mark Story voted to close the school while William Minor and Mamie Solomon abstained.

Earlier in Thursday night’s meeting, opposition was shown to the idea of the school closing by Orrville Mayor Louvenia Lumpkin.

Lumpkin delivered a presentation to the board expressing both her concern and concern on behalf of the Orrville Community.

“I know you’re tired of hearing this,” said Lumpkin, “But when you take a school out of a community that community begins to fade away.”

Lumpkin said that her town was upset with the idea of the school closing because the Orrville community was not consulted before a plan was made.

“I feel like it wasn’t done right,” said Lumpkin. “And our parents feel the same way. Speaking with the parents this week, most of them have said that they feel their voices have been taken away. We feel as though the board’s mind is already made up.”

DCBOE President Leroy Miles responded to Lumpkin’s presentation by stating the board’s mind was not made up and that that they would wait for the recommendation of the superintendent.

Prior to the board’s vote, Dallas County Schools Superintendent Hattie Shelton presented them with the information that formed her recommendation to close the school.

Shelton stated that she considered merging Salem students with J.E. Terry Elementary School in Plantersville, but a report from an architect revealed that the building that the Salem students would be moved to has severe structural damage due to termites.

“I do not have the space for eight classrooms at this time [at J.E. Terry],” said Shelton.

Shelton also cited the cost to run Salem Elementary as a reason to close the school.

According to Shelton, Salem costs roughly $300,000 to run in utilities, which excludes the salary and benefits of faculty and staff.

“$300,000 dollars to operate a school of 180 students is not efficient,” said Edwards.

The board also briefly discussed the idea of merging Bruce K. Craig Elementary School to Tipton-Durant Middle-High School Campus, but decided to table the discussion until more options could be explored.