DODDS-Europe closing nine schools

[unhappycamper]

DODDS-Europe closing nine schools
By Scott Schonauer, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Wednesday, April 23, 2008

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Department of Defense Dependents Schools-Europe will shut down nine schools at the end of the school year due to base closures and troop reductions.

School officials do not plan to close any more schools in the next two years, said Maggie Menzies, a DODDS-E spokeswoman, said Tuesday. After several years of school closings, the expected pause in closures mirrors a similar break in major troop and structure changes at bases in Europe. Last year, DODDS-Europe also closed nine schools.

Among the schools to go away will be Würzburg High School. On June 6, the school will hold a ceremony to mark the school’s closure after 54 years. Principal Walter Seely said it is disappointing to say goodbye to the beloved school and leave a community that many families have enjoyed being stationed in over the years.

“It’s very sad to see such a nice community leave,” said Seely, who has served as principal since 2001. “This is a nice place to live, especially for the families.”

At the height of the Cold War, Würzburg High was one of the biggest Defense Department schools in Europe. At its peak, the school boasted nearly 1,000 students. Today, there are about 160 students, Seely said. Some alumni are planning to travel from the U.S. to attend the closing ceremony. The school is selling black T-shirts to commemorate the event.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=54257



uhc comment: I was stationed in Würzburg in the early 70s at the Flugplatz.