The state Board of Education voted 7-0 Thursday to close the tiny but award-winning Kingsland Elementary School in the Rison-based Cleveland County School District.
The local board had voted 6-1 to close the school — the lack of a unanimous vote required the final decision to be made by the state Board.
The school is a National Blue Ribbon School this school year — one of three in the state — and the workplace of the state’s sole Milken Educator $25,000 award winner.
On the other hand, the school has a C letter grade and a rapidly declining enrollment that is now below 80 students.
Kingsland is known for being the birthplace of singer Johnny Cash.