"Bounty" not enough

The fight to preserve the school continues

Fire department commander Bernhard Zeiner is the mouthpiece for the 310 residents. The deputy chairwoman of the parents' association, Katrin Korak-Kohl, is also fighting for the school location.(Bild: Hronek Eveline)

30 pupils are needed for educational institution in Klein St. Veit.

Despite the "bounty" as a one-off bonus for pupils - the "Krone" already reported on this - the required number of 30 pupils at the Klein St. Veit elementary school could not be reached even with an extended registration deadline.

Only three more children joined the 14 registered pupils. "However, there are other interested parties outside the district," says Katrin Korak-Kohl, deputy chairwoman of the parents' association. Now we have to wait for the decision of the education authorities, who want to close the school. FF commander and village spokesperson Bernhard Zeiner: "No decision has been made yet. But we will continue to fight to keep the school open."

Völkermarkt's Deputy Mayor Peter Wedenig: "We will of course lodge an appeal as soon as the letter is available. Maybe there will be a chance to preserve the rural school." However, the parents' association has exhausted all means. Korak-Kohl: "We have drawn up a new concept for the continuation of the school. It saddens us that we are being ignored by politicians. There is no response to our letters and concept." The parents' association is already thinking about setting up a private school.