Our mission: To preserve, promote, improve and strengthen public schools for both current and future generations of students.

Some had tears in their eyes as they left the meeting Monday night, discouraged by the 4-3 decision impacting families whose children go to school in Walton, about seven miles east of Newton.

“My child, his fellow classmates, and especially these teachers behind me are not just numbers,” one Walton Rural Life Center parent told the board during the meeting.