Discussions will take place this week about the possibility of closing a school within the Oak Harbor School District.

The school board will hold a special meeting Thursday to start talking about facts surrounding a possible closure. The meeting takes place at noon, Dec. 28, at the Administrative Service Center, 350 S. Oak Harbor St.

“There’s a lot of rumors about it, but nothing has been brought to the board,” said Gary Wallin, president of the Oak Harbor School Board.

He said the meeting will provide the first opportunity for the school board to talk about a possible closure.

Oak Harbor schools have lost enrollment over the past several years. Elementary school enrollment has dropped by 500 students since the 1999-2000 school year. Back then, elementary school enrollment was at 2,899 students and it’s currently at 2,334 students. Officials have said there is at least one empty classroom in each of the six elementary schools.

When the current school year started, enrollment came in more than 100 students less than projected. That forced school officials to reduce the current budget by $733,000.

Discussion about a potential school closure would likely center around Clover Valley Elementary School. Wallin said the school has a low enrollment and a high percentage of students that are bused in from home.

He stressed that no decision concerning a school closure will be made and Thursday’s meeting will just be a discussion.

“Nothing has been decided at all,” Wallin stressed.

While the initial discussion takes place during a week where many people are on vacation, Wallin said if the school district moves to close a school, there will be hearings at a future date to allow for public input.