The fate of the Clarence Brown Education Center will be known this week as four school boards vote on a recommendation to close the school.

The school, founded almost 35 years ago, provides alternative and emotional support for special needs students.

The Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV of Grove City has recommended closing the school by June 30 because of a lack of funds.

The Seneca, Moniteau and Karns City school boards all will take up the school closing issue tonight at their meetings. The South Butler School Board will do the same Wednesday night.

The Mars School Board this past Tuesday followed the MIU recommendation and voted to close Clarence Brown.

Those five school districts own the building on Pittsburgh Pike Road in Butler and send students there.

MIU recommends the closure of the school, said Wayde Killmeyer, the executive director of the MIU.

However, that decision is up to the five districts.

Eric Ritzert, Karns City superintendent, said the school needs a new roof and other renovations, projects that would cost more than $1 million.

“Economically, it’s not sensible to continue to operate,” Ritzert said.

A major factor in the possible closing is low student enrollment, which impacts the school’s finances.

The school had 42 students during the 2014-2015 year, but now has just 15.

The school’s budget for the year is $858,737.