Garrett Co. Plan Would Avert School Closings

OAKLAND, Md. (AP) -- The Garrett County Commissioners are offering the county school system $2.2 million to avert the threatened closure of three elementary schools.

The Cumberland Times-News reports that the commissioners agreed Tuesday give the school board the money subject to two conditions.

One is that it drops any plan to close schools in next school year.

The schools also would have to continue participating in a retiree health insurance plan that also covers workers from county government and Garrett College.

The schools would have to trim $200,000 from their operating expenses to make the plan work.

The school board has scheduled an emergency meeting Thursday to consider the offer.

Commissioner Jim Raley says it's a temporary approach but he's hopeful it will buy time for a longer-term solution.

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