Bill Pittman, "Old Smithville School Recycled into New Use," Indianapolis News, December 19, 1980, Smithville Vertical File, Monroe County Public Library, Bloomington, Indiana. NOTE: The information noted below was abstracted by Randi Richardson from a photocopy of the original article. In 1972, with the graduation of the last senior class, Smithville High School closed for good. A few years later, in 1976, the Smithville Elementary School closed as well with many students reassigned to the new Lakeview School. For two the next two years, the building sat empty while the MCCSC searched for a buyer. When the Department of Housing and Urban Development received a substantial grant, they purchased the building and made needed repairs. When the grant money ran out, the building was deeded to the county commissioners. Options available to the county commissioners were few: either locate a community organization to maintain and operate the building or raze it. Not long afterward, the Smithville Community Activities Council leased the buildings for a dollar a year. The grounds on which the school sat, about 20 acres, was leased separately to the Little League for a number of years at an undisclosed amount. With the purchase of the school and gymnasium, the site has been retained as a community center.