Merger plan rejected for 2 small Indiana high schools

MARSHALL, Ind. (AP) - Two small high schools in rural western Indiana will both stay open despite concerns about declining enrollment and shrinking revenue.

The North Central Parke school board voted 4-3 Thursday night against merging Rockville and Turkey Run high schools. The (Terre Haute) Tribune-Star reports (http://bit.ly/1Wzq985 ) the plan would have sent grades 9-12 to Rockville, with the Turkey Run building having grades 6-8 and two elementary schools remaining open.

Board member Rusty Akers says he believes consolidation needs to happen but voted against the plan because a better solution is needed.

The district has seen its enrollment drop 5 percent to about 1,250 students since it was created in 2013 by the merger of the Rockville and Turkey Run districts in the area about 25 miles northeast of Terre Haute.

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Information from: Tribune-Star, http://www.tribstar.com