The appellants seek reversal of a decision made by the Villisca Community School District board to close the Nodaway Attendance Center.

Because of decreasing enrollment, the local board voted to close the Nodaway school; the appellants feel the Enarson school should be closed instead.

There are 7 steps to guide local boards when making school closing decisions:1. A timeline should be established in advance2. All community members should be made aware that an important decision is before the local board for its review.3. The public should be involved in providing sufficient input4. Sufficient research, study, and planning should be carried out by the board, as well as groups and individuals selected by the board.5. There should be open and frank public discussion6. A proper record should be made of all steps taken.7. The final decision must be made at a open public meeting and a record made thereof.

These guidelines are used to determine whether the local board's decision was arbitrary or capricious. Application of these guidelines to this case reveals no basis on which to overturn the decision.

The local board's decision is affirmed.