RUMFORD – One person after another stepped up to the microphone to tell of the benefits of educating young children at a small school.

For more than 90 minutes, some of the 75 people who attended Tuesday’s informational meeting told of caring teachers at Virginia Elementary School, of how difficult it is for young children to adapt to a larger school, and of the educational advantage children receive when every teacher knows every child.

Tuesday night was a chance for parents, staff and others to let the SAD 43 board know how they feel about the possibility of closing the 50-plus-year-old school, perhaps transforming it into a site for special programs, and sending their children to Rumford Elementary School or Meroby Elementary School.

“This political agenda for Virginia is stressful for the board, for students, for the staff,” said Lisa Russell, parent of a Virginia school student and former school board member. “It creates a sense of instability. Is this district creating inequitable treatment?”

Another parent, Tanya Goff, said the small neighborhood school is not only a school but a home for children.

“Can you look them in the eye and say you are taking their school away?” she asked.

Superintendent Jim Hodgkin, at the start of the forum, said he wanted to settle the Virginia Elementary School issue once and for all.

He said the matter, which has come up several times over the years, is stressful for all involved. He doesn’t want it closed, but perhaps put to another use if the school’s 111 students are transferred to one of the other district elementary schools.

“The board and myself recognize this is a very difficult issue, but this issue needs closure, some finality. It’s not healthy for the staff, students, teachers. It’s here now to be discussed and resolved,” he said.

The elementary school population has dropped by nearly 250 students in the past 10 years. Both Rumford and Meroby schools now house 248 students in buildings meant to house about 400 each.

And although it is a separate issue, he said the district could use Virginia school for the district’s Alternative Education and Day Treatment programs.

He said eight schools in the SAD 43 area have been closed or reconfigured since 1969.

“It’s a difficult issue,” he said.

Board members will now discuss public comments at a regular board meeting Dec. 6. From there, a decision may be made as early as January, or as late as March.