A vote on whether to proceed to a required public hearing before closing either Tipton Hill or Buladean Elementary Schools was delayed by the Mitchell County Board of Education earlier this week after they listened to opinions from residents of those communities during an extended public comment period. Some of those in attendance who are against the closing of either of the schools, or both,  sited the extended travel time that students affected by the decision would have to endure while supporters of the move pointed to the reality of budget shortfalls as reasons to close the geographically isolated schools on the northern end of the county. The Board plans to make a decision about the public hearing at its next meeting on January 30th.