Voters reject Naples school closure plan

BONNERS FERRY — Naples Elementary will remain open.

In light turnout, almost 58 percent of those voting rejected a Boundary County School District plan to close the school as part of an effort to address budget shortfalls caused by cuts in state funding.

A total of 1,553 of the county’s 5,664 registered voters, or 27.4 percent, turned out for Tuesday’s special election with 898, or 57.82 percent, voting against closing the school and 655, or 42.18 percent, voting to shut the facility down.

To pass, the measure needed 50 percent plus one vote.

With residents voting against closing Naples Elementary, school district officials said they will look at other way to meet the budget cuts.

“We probably will be looking at Evergreen Elementary, cutting music and art in the rural schools and putting Naples back up for election in nine months,” said Tim Bertling, school board vice chairman. “I would hate to cut more from the classified and certified staff.”

Support for closing the school was strongest at Evergreen, which saw 134 votes for closing and 76 against; and at Boundary County Middle School, which saw 221 votes to close Naples Elementary and 162 votes against.

Naples School PTSA member and parent, Theresa Wardle is happy with the outcome of the vote and wants to remind Evergreen School student parents that a board meeting will be held at 7 a.m. at the Boundary County School District office Friday, June 11, to discuss other options.

“We are ecstatic about the vote and hopeful that now Naples and other rural schools can research other options to help with limited funding,” Wardle said. “This morning I have talked to other Naples parents and we would like to see all rural schools remain open.”

Opposition against closing the school was strongest in the Naples area, with 377 votes against closing the school compared to 39 votes to close the facility. At Mt. Hall, there were 47 votes to close the school and 66 votes against closing Naples, and at Valley View, there were 214 votes to close the school and 217 votes against.

Superintendent Don Bartling could not be reached for comment.

Election results are unofficial until the vote is canvassed by the school board.