Posted at: 09/29/2009 11:46 AM
Updated at: 09/29/2009 4:11 PM

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Anoka-Hennepin Targets Schools for Closure

COON RAPIDS, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota's largest school district will close six schools and reconfigure two others as it deals with declining enrollment and a projected budget deficit.

The Anoka-Hennepin school board's vote Monday night is expected to save $3 million annually, which will be used to help reduce an $18 million projected deficit.

The district hasn't close schools since the 1950s when it merged one-room schools into larger buildings. About 40,500 students attend schools in the Anoka-Hennepin district, which has lost approximately 2,000 in the last five years.

The board voted to close eight schools in Champlin, Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids, Anoka at the end of the school year. Two of the schools will reopen for different uses.

The Minneapolis, St. Paul and Robbinsdale districts also recently made plans to close schools.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)