FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — The decision to close Utica Elementary School was made Monday night as the Franklin School Board voted in favor of the closure.

The suggestion to close the elementary school was made nearly a year ago by a task force created by Superintendent Dr. Pamela Dye.

Comprised of school personnel and community members, the task force recommended closing the school to address the district’s financial concerns at a May 2014 school board meeting.

Concerned citizens have written letters and spoken to the school board at several meetings throughout the year — including at a public hearing in January — in attempts to persuade the board to keep the school open.

A letter from the Utica Borough Council was read by by Dr. Dye prior to the vote Monday. In the letter, the council urged the board to consider delaying the closure of the school for at least two-to-three years. In that time, the school board would have time to continue evaluate the situation and make use of the recently-renovated school building, said the letter.

Several people in the audience — including two students — spoke to the board at the meeting, arguing to keep the school open.

After the public comment period the board voted 6 to 3 to close the school at the end of this school year.

According to board members, work will begin soon on a plan to transition Utica students to other schools in the district.