Cosmos, Minn., school building won't close

COSMOS -- Known as ACGC South Elementary, the school in Cosmos will no longer operate as an elementary school when classes end later this month.

But the building will not close.

It will continue to function as a vibrant part of the community and be a place of employment.

For the last three years, a wing of the building has been leased by the Southwest/West Central Service Cooperative, which operates the Cosmos Learning Center as a unique program for students with disabilities, including autism.

The program attracts students from a large region in west central and southwest Minnesota and employs people to work with those students.

A taxidermy business has also been leasing space in the school after fire destroyed its building in Cosmos last year.

The Cosmos Learning Center's autism program has grown every year since it opened here and it's expected the service cooperative will continue to rent space in the building.

Other community uses for the building are also being explored.