JACKSON, Ky. (WYMT) - Rumors of a Breathitt County Elementary School possibly being shut down are upsetting some parents and teachers.

Larry Hammond, who recently assumed superintendent duties after Breathitt County became state managed, met with parents and others that are concerned.

Hammond is admitting that Rousseau Elementary School may be shut down to save money, but the decision is not entirely up to him.

The local planning committee is scheduled to come up with a proposal by June that could include shuttering the school.

The plan will require Hammond's approval before being sent to the Kentucky Board of Education for final approval

“We're all concerned about it. We love our little school and we want to see it stay open and we just hope that everything works out to where we can stay open,” Principal Darrell Watts said.

One parent has even started a petition to keep the school open. It already has more than 600 signatures.

“When you close a small school like this, the community is, it's the center of the community, it's the heart of the community so when you close this it's just going to devastate the whole area,” Board member Rebecca Holbrook said.

Holbrook has a child that goes to Rousseau. She is concerned with travel times if students are forced to go to other schools.

“Small children are going to be riding a minimum of an hour, hour and forty five minutes including stops and everything to get to town,” Holbrook said.

One of the people attending Tuesday's meeting was Lisa Howard, whose two daughters went to Rousseau.

“This is not just a school full of kids. This is a family that attends this school. They are involved with each other on a daily basis and they consider each other as family,” Howard said.

“The rumors this year seem like they have a lot more bite to them this year than they've ever had,” Principal Watts said.

Around 100 students attend Rousseau Elementary.

It is unclear what would happen to the teachers and staff if the school does end up being shut down.