On a 5-to-2 vote the USD 489 Board of Education Wednesday night agreed to close Kennedy Middle School following the next academic year. The sixth through eighth grade students will go to Felten, which will be renamed.

The district will use modular classrooms while new classrooms are being constructed. Board member Richard Kraemer said because of the reductions in state funding, this is in the district’s best interest.

Darren Schumacher and Greg Schwartz voted against the closure, stating that a better long-term plan is needed.

Faculty, students and parents will help select the school’s new name, mascot and colors.