Superintendent Recommends Platte River Elementary for Closure

A community meeting will be held this evening at Platte River Elementary at 7PM and a Board Meeting on March 13 at 7 pm in the Middle School Computer Lab to discuss the recommended closure of Platte River Elementary. Matt Olson, Benzie County Central Schools superintendent, sent out a fact sheet (below) in an email to members of the district's community committee. “I'm putting this out there to ask for your help,” Olson wrote. “This is a difficult, emotionally wrought issue on many levels. Please spread what you know regarding the position our district is in and the relative condition of our buildings—especially to those hurting from potential loss of their school. … We'll have some healing needed in our community regardless of outcome.” Platte River faces state intervention if its operational costs are not brought in line; the district has suffered from declining enrollment and "stagnant state revenues" according to the fact sheet. —Emily Votruba