South Dearborn considering closure of Manchester Elementary

Community meeting was held Wednesday night

(MANCHESTER, Ind.) – The future of Manchester Elementary was the topic of conversation during a community meeting on Wednesday.

The South Dearborn School Corporation is considering the possibility of closing the school due to declining enrollment and much-needed building improvements.

Manchester’s enrollment numbers have dropped by 48 percent in the past decade, Superintendent Ron Ross said. 

Ross said the district may not have a choice whether the school can stay open. Manchester could be forced to close due to an Indiana law regarding underutilization of school buildings, which he said the school already meets. 

He added that Manchester Elementary is also in need of building improvements, that include sewage, windows and asphalt.

If the school closes, it would bring district-wide changes. 

Manchester Elementary grades K-5 would be absorbed by Aurora Elementary, while all 6th-8th graders in the corporation, including Dillsboro, would go to South Dearborn Middle School. 

Ross added that there would be no staff reductions if consolidation occurs. 

As of now, a decision on whether Manchester closes or stays open has not been made, as the meeting was for informative purposes. 

Parents and community members attended the meeting which allowed public comment, but not public questions.