LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- The La Crosse School Board voted 6-2 to close Lincoln Middle School at Monday night's board meeting.
La Crosse School District Superintendent Aaron Engel explained that the recommendation comes due to declining enrolment and the cost of maintaining those facilities.
The building will close at the end of August.
That will leave La Crosse middle school students with two schools: Longfellow on the south side, and Logan on the north side.
Several community members spoke at the meeting, voicing concerns about neighborhood schools.
Engel said at the meeting that the district should be able to move most staff to other La Crosse schools.
During the meeting, board members debated the idea of closing Lincoln for some time.
One member proposed holding off the closure for a year longer to give families more time-- but other members said the time is now.
"It is of paramount importance to me to ensure we have quality education. And I see the challenge and I feel the challenge of needing to make this decision tonight, but I do not feel we can wait any longer," said Juan Jimenez, La Crosse school board president.
The board also voted to go to a $60 million, six-year referendum to maintain what the district has to offer.
That includes things like building maintenance and mental health resources for its students.
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