By Ron Brown
 
January 13, 2009
 
MURPHY, Ore. -- At a hearing Monday night, a Three Rivers School District Study Group, formed to analyze whether to close Wolf Creek Elementary School, urged the school board not to close any Three Rivers District schools.
 
The school board is concerned about how to make up a nearly $2.5 million deficit in funding for the upcoming school year.
 
"What is now our biggest community and public asset will surely become our largest sign of failure, and proclaim loudly to all, 'here is a community with no faith in it's future'," says Study Committee Member James Stubblefield.
 
"Closing Wolf Creek Elementary would destroy the heart of our community," says Resident Marcy Quist.
 
With about 60 students, Wolf Creek is one of the smallest schools in Southern Oregon. The 70-year-old school building is considered the central hub of the town.
 
Another hearing is scheduled for February 3.