The Dallas County Board of Education voted to merge Salem Elementary School into Keith Middle-High School and to merge Bruce K. Craig into Tipton Durant Middle-High School at last the board meeting held on Thursday, April 18.

However, the approval of an ordinance imposing a half percent additional sales tax in Dallas County for public schools could mean that the two schools will remain open.

According to Dallas County Probate Judge and County Chairman Jimmy Nunn, the revenue collected from the half percent tax increase will be split between Dallas County and Selma City Schools.

The money will be distributed to each school based on the number of student, which according to Nunn is roughly 50-50.

Dallas County Schools Superintendent Hattie Shelton said after the ordinance was passed by the commission that the two schools may be able to remain open.

Shelton said that the future of Salem Elementary and Bruce K. Craig would be discussed at the next Dallas County Schools Board of Education meeting on May 14.

The Selma-Times Journal originally reported that the Dallas County School Board tabled the discussion to merge Bruce K. Craig Elementary School with Tipton-Durant Middle School until further options could be explored.

This was inaccurate.

The recommendation to merge the schools had already been made before the suggestion to table the discussion was made.

The recommendation was approved after proper motion and a second.