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Coon Rapids' L.O. Jacob Elementary School one of 8 schools that the Anoka-Hennepin School District pegged for closure next year will be re-purposed as a special education center. 73 level-4 special education students currently using the Coon Rapids Bell Center and 22 level-4 students currently being sent to other districts because Anoka-Hennepin doesn't have space to house them will now all be sent to L.O. Jacob. Level-4 students have behavioral problems that make them unsuited for a regular classroom setting.
District officials say the move will save the district between $200,000 and $300,000 per year, mostly in tuition the district no longer will have to pay for its students to attend facilities elsewhere. It also will result in some transportation savings and put an end to long bus rides for students who now go to other districts. The Bell Center could be used to house other district programs that currently use leased space which could result in more cost savings for the cash strapped district. |
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