Cumberland — OAKLAND — The Garrett County Board of Education won’t decide whether to close its two most expensive-to-operate schools until April 19, when additional pieces of the budget puzzle can be snapped into place.

But Superintendent Wendell Teets told the board Tuesday night what he thinks it should do.

After months of crunching numbers and meeting with community members who are desperate to save their schools, Teets recommended that the board close both Kitzmiller and Bloomington elementary schools at the end of the school year. The move, first suggested by Teets last fall because of anticipated budget cuts, would save the school district around $800,000 — a fraction of the estimated $3.1 million state funding shortfall it faces in Fiscal Year 2012.

The reduction of state funds is due, in part, to a decrease in student population. Enrollment in Garrett County has declined by around 10 percent over the last decade and is expected to decline another 10 percent by 2019, data shows. Currently, there are around 4,200 students in the system.

“If anyone here is in business and they’ve lost 10 percent of their business, they’re going to have to downsize,” Teets said, adding that “closing a school is an option that none of us desire to do.”

“I have to carry the load of 4,200 students on my back as far as what we do for them,” Teets said. “And I’ve got to try to guide a school system in what we can do that will have the least impact on a majority of those kids.”

Board members didn’t comment on Teets’ recommendation Tuesday. The board, which had planned to vote on the school closings on April 12, delayed the vote for one week to get additional budget information from the state.

“I know the communities want resolution to this question of closure, but the board tonight has looked at all the pieces that are still missing from the budget,” said Board President Thomas Carr. “… I think it’s better for everyone to wait until we have all the pieces of the puzzle together.”

Citizens groups from both Bloomington and Kitzmiller have made impassioned pleas in recent weeks to both the Board of Education and the Garrett County Board of Commissioners, trying to save their schools. On Tuesday night, several citizens spoke after hearing Teets’ recommendation.

“I don’t have any answers for you tonight,” said Jack Carothers. “I wish I did. But I have some questions. What happens when you close the school to the community of Kitzmiller? You’re going to lose the heart of the community if the school closes … I understand your numbers very well. But it isn’t all about numbers.”

Teets said central office staff have explored a number of possibilities for how to save money in lieu of closing Kitzmiller and Bloomington schools, including:

• Operating a single high school instead of two, and operating a single middle school instead of two.

• Closing Dennett Road Elementary School — or one of the county’s other elementary schools.

• Eliminating additional central office staff.

• “Closing” the Finzel/Garrett County border to keep Garrett children from attending Allegany County schools — and keeping those state dollars in Garrett County.

In fact, the board voted last year to end the 60-year arrangement with Allegany County, which will eventually save around $200,000, and central office has eliminated 6.5 positions since 2004, Teets said. Studies indicated that operating a single high school and a single middle school wouldn’t be feasible because none of the schools are large enough to accommodate all the students, Teets said. And while the board might have to consider closing additional schools in the future, Kitzmiller and Bloomington are first in line because they’re the most expensive and have the fewest students, he said.

Bloomington Elementary’s per pupil cost is $13,305, board statistics show; Kitzmiller’s per pupil cost if about $7,444. Currently, 32 students are enrolled at Bloomington; Kitzmiller’s student population is 54.

In an unexpected announcement at the end of the meeting, Carr said that Teets had submitted a letter of retirement, effective June 30. Teets has been superintendent of Garrett County Public Schools for the last 14 years.

“I’m a little too emotional to make many comments right now,” Carr said, adding that Teets has made “tremendous personal sacrifices” during his tenure.

Bloomington resident Libby Cage told board members that the elementary school is “the heart and soul of our community.”

“I feel that with Dr. Teets leaving you should just disregard his recommendation,” she said.

Contact Kristin Harty Barkley at kbarkley@times-news.com.