Sorento School might close

The Sorento community, about 500 in population, will find out Wednesday, Jan. 12, if their elementary school will be closed by the Bond County Unit 2 Board of Education.

Sorento Elementary is a Na- tional Blue Ribbon School, an honor bestowed on only 15-20 schools a year in Illinois. The citizens of Sorento are fighting to hold onto their school that performs at or above state aver- ages academically.

The public first found out on Dec. 5 that there was a proposal to close the school and was promised transparency during the process leading to a decision. Residents claim that has not happened. The superin- tendent of the district has stated that the potential closure is not for financial reasons, though he said there will be savings.

If closed, students as young as 3 years old would have a one- hour bus ride one way.