With shrinking rural populations and declining enrollment in their schools, small towns like Kiester are being faced with the harsh reality of not only losing the biggest employer in town, but what is considered the heart of small communities, its only school.

Due to a decrease in its enrollment and as a cost saving measure, the United South Central School System closed the doors to the USC Middle School in the heart of Kiester effective June 1, 2008.

“It’s devastating, I don’t think people even realize how bad it is when you lose your school,” said lifelong resident Rick Goemann. “I went to school here, my kids went to school here, it’s the life of the town.”

With rural economies in hard times, a blow like losing a school would push most communities over the edge, but not Kiester.

Thanks to an agreement between USC and the city of Kiester, the city purchased the school and athletic field for just $2. A Kiester school task force was then formed to help the Kiester City Council with ideas on how to best manage the property.

The task force has since evolved into a group of people who have renamed the old school the Kee Town & Country Centre. The group is now incorporated and is in the process of forming a nonprofit entity so donations can be tax-deductible. To put it simply, KT&CC Inc. now owns and maintains the old Kiester School under the direction of the board of directors after the city transferred the title Sept. 8.

That’s where Rick Goemann comes in. Goemann was elected its first chairman, along with Al Bauman vice-chairman, Doug Trytten treasurer, and Michelle Gurung secretary. Ken Hood and Steve Steinhauer were also chosen as directors.

“Our real immediate plans are to come up with enough money to keep the pipes from freezing this winter,” Goemann said. “Basically we are just trying to keep up the maintenance until we get things going.”

KT&CC Inc. and its directors are considering many possibilities for the use of the property, anything from assisted living to a charter school.

“The goal is to bring business, future development, and life back to Kiester, it’s not the same as having your school back, but we hope it can one day be pretty close,” said Goemann.

Over the next year the group will have many fundraisers going on but the one that is in the works now is a homecoming cookout and dance at the old school scheduled for Oct. 11. The cookout begins at 5 p.m. and the dance will begin in the large gym at 7 p.m.

The dance will feature the band Led Penny, which includes school alumni Dan and Tim Penny. Other members include Shawn Penny, Marcus Penny, and Tom Croxton. There is no charge for the meal or dance but donations will be greatly appreciated, so come out to Kiester and enjoy the good food and fun and support a good cause.

“I want to make sure everyone understands that they can still deduct their contributions,” Goemann said. “Tax deductible contributions need to be made out to our fiscal agent, Region Nine Area, Inc. As soon as we get our 501-3c status, we will be able to take care of it ourselves, but that takes about three months, so we’re told.”