Buchanan Community Schools could gain around a dozen students after the Galien School Board voted to cut its seventh- and eighth-grade programs last week.

Buchanan Supt. Andrea van der Laan said a cooperative agreement is currently being worked out that would send Galien’s seventh and eighth-grade students to Buchanan next year.

“Nothing has been finalized, but I think it is very likely that it will happen,” van der Laan said.

If the cooperative agreement goes through, Buchanan would get about 12 students from Galien unless those students choose to attend school elsewhere through Schools of Choice. An addition of 12 students amounts to about $80,000 in additional state aid.

Van der Laan expects to know one way or another before the end of the school year, June 30.

“I’d like to get it finalized so we know where we are going next year and so the parents have that closure and peace of mind too,” she said.

Van der Laan said she has had discussions with Galien Supt. Tim Allard about allowing Galien’s seventh- and eighth-grade students to finish their 9-12 education at Buchanan. Galien currently sends its 9-12 grade students to River Valley through a cooperative agreement with the River Valley district. That agreement would need to be altered.

Van der Laan said Buchanan has enough room and staff to accommodate 12 additional students.