Custer school board allows rural Spring Creek school to remain open

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CUSTER (AP) — A rural western South Dakota elementary school with just six students will be allowed to remain open for at least one more year.

According to media reports, the Custer Board of Education withdrew a motion Monday to close Spring Creek Elementary after a board member agreed to head a special committee that will explore alternative ways to fund the school's operating costs.

Custer school officials cut more than $840,000 from the budget for the current school year after the state Legislature slashed education funding.

Officials say the district spent $69,663 to keep Spring Creek open last year.

Melissa Whitney has a kindergartener enrolled at Spring Creek. She called the board's decision a victory and says she expects enrollment to grow in the future.

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