The Salem-Keizer School District is being forced to close Fruitland, Bethel and Lake Labish elementary schools, requiring students to attend other schools within the district, a district spokesperson said Tuesday.

As part of the proposal, Rosedale and Hazel Green elementary schools will remain open for the 2011-2012 school year, but will go through a similar process before the school year of 2012 begins. Closing all five schools had been discussed in earlier months, as an alternative that would help to close the district's $55 million budget gap, according to Statesman Journal Timm Collins.

Mary Paulson, a spokeswoman for Salem-Keizer School District, said the district will try to utilize the buildings for preschool or other existing Salem-Keizer programs, which could save on rent. Both scenarios would help offset the budget gap. The board has the final say and will cast the deciding vote on June 14, Paulson said.

Some parents received an auto dialer voice message Monday explaining Hazel Green would not be closed this year, however it did not provide the information that the school would close the following year.

"We made a decision late last week to recommend a two-year process for consolidation of small schools," Paulson said. "The timing wasn't perfect, but we wanted to get the word out to Rosedale and Hazel Green administration before spring break."

Chris Gauthier, whose son attends a combined kindergarten-first grade class at Hazel Green was elated when he received the auto dialer call. Gauthier even uploaded the message to a parent club's Facebook (News - Alert) page. "We love our school because the smaller setting makes it feel like one big family," he said. "Hopefully this will give us another year to find a way to keep it open."

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