March 19, 2024

Former board member seeks to block closure of school

GLADBROOK — A former board member for an Iowa school district seeks to block the closure of one of its three schools. The Board of Education at Gladbrook-Reinbeck Community School District voted 5-2 Wednesday to close the district’s elementary and middle school building located in Gladbrook and move students to two schools in Reinbeck in an effort to cut costs.

But Charles Bearden, who previously served on the board, has filed a legal petition to prevent the closure.

Bearden said Thursday the building in Gladbrook is newer than those in Reinbeck, and that it would be a “disgrace” to shut it down.

Josh Hemann, a current board member who voted in favor of the proposal, says maintaining an elementary school in every town isn’t realistic.