ORIENT, Iowa — The Orient-Macksburg Board of Education hosted a public forum regarding the potential reorganization or dissolution of the Orient-Macksburg Community School District Monday.
Made up of only two schools and around 150 students, the district has been facing financial shortfalls, low enrollment and staffing issues for several years.
"Enrollment is at a point where it's declined enough that finances are not holding up with current student and staffing needs," Superintendent Jeff Kruse told Local 5.
Two options are being considered by the district and the board. The first is to reorganize the school district by separating it into portions and merging them with surrounding school districts.
Option two is to dissolve the district completely, and merge it with just one other school district.
After Monday's meeting, Kruse says the general consensus is to break the district apart and reorganize it. Nearby districts that could take in students include Nodaway Valley, Creston and Winterset.
"It's up to individuals to make their own decision, but we would like to think that whatever decision is made, that next year is going to be a grand year for the students and the communities of Orient-Macksburg," Kruse said.
Several staff members and district families came out to the board's meeting Monday to express their concerns. One major question was what would happen to the current building, where both the elementary and high school are housed.
Kruse said that whichever district takes over the current boundary, which occupies portions of Adair, Madison, Adams and Union counties, would also take over the building.
A decision is expected by June 30. All updates regarding the future of the Orient-Macksburg Community School District will be posted on Facebook.