Appellants sought reversal of a decision of the Board of Directors of the Fairfield Community School District made on March 18, 2002 to close its Lockridge Elementary Building located in Lockridge, Iowa. The focus of this appeal is an examination of the process followed by the Fairfield Board in making its decision to close the Lockridge attendance center. The District contends that it substantially complied with the Barker guidelines in making its March 18, 2002 decision. In contrast, Appellants argue that the District Board's March 18, 2002 decision should be reversed because the Board did not follow the Barker guidelines.

The administrative law judge heard extensive testimony from parents, members of the public, Board members, district administrators, and members of the Task Force. The administrative law judge concluded that the Board established that the Fairfield Community School District did follow the Barker guidelines in making its March 18, 2002 decision. Unless time weighs heavily as a factor, school boards should allow a reasonable amount of time to pass between initial formal input and the final decision. In re Susan Beary et al., 15 D.o.E. App. Dec. 1, 15 (1999). The State Board recently affirmed a board's decision to close a building after the Wapsie Valley District went through the Barker guidelines process in a seven-week period. In re Teresa Duffy, et al., 19 D.o.E. App. Dec. 194(2001). We similarly conclude that the Fairfield District's financial situation warranted speedy action and that the five-month timeline it used was reasonable under the circumstances.

In summary, Appellants did not shown any legal reason to reverse the District Board's March 18, 2002, decision. The District's decision to close the Lockridge Elementary School was affirmed.

That the decision of the Board of Directors of the Fairfield Community School District made on March 18, 2002, was affirmed.