CONWAY — “Personally, I think the economics are indicating it’s time to close a school,” Superintendent Kevin Richard said last week. And, if he had to recommend which of three elementary schools in Conway he would close, it would be Pine Tree Elementary in Center Conway.
Richard appeared on SUN-TV with Publisher Mark Guerringue and Education Editor Lloyd Jones on Dec. 28. They discussed everything from the superintendent search, test scores, housing for staff and the upcoming budget season.
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