January 15th, 2012 by WCBC Radio

Public hearings have been scheduled this month for citizens in Garrett County to provide input on a proposal to close three elementary schools. The Cumberland Times News reports Friendsville and Kitzmiller elementary schools are proposed to close, in addition to the Dennett Road Elementary School, as part of a five-year plan for Garrett County schools. Faculty members were notified Dec. 13 of the proposed closing at the end of the school year, according to Jamie Fike, a member of the Friendsville Advisory Committee.  The nine-member committee, which was formed by Friendsville Principal Tracie Miller, was created recently to research the feasibility of the five-year plan and the impact on the students and the community as a whole