Littleton Public Schools, which will close two elementary schools at the end of this year, faces tough economic times for years to come, officials said Friday.

The board of education voted Friday morning to close Ames and Whitman elementary schools and serve the students at other schools.

The decision angered parents, some of whom are considering a lawsuit.

"We're an aging community," said Superintendent Scott Murphy.

Enrollment is declining because residents are staying in their homes past their childbearing years, officials said, adding the district has only small pockets of developable land.

Lower enrollments mean less money under Colorado's school finance law.

"It's OK that people have fewer school-age children, but we have to adapt to the reality of the demographic change," Murphy said.

Ten years ago, the district enrolled 15,447 students. Today enrollment is at 14,431 students, and a five-year projection puts the number at 13,846 students by 2012.

Eventually the numbers will stabilize as neighborhoods are transformed, but nobody knows when.

"I'm not looking for anything turning around quickly," Murphy said.

Matt Shankle, parent of four Ames students, said board members didn't listen to dozens of residents who pleaded on behalf of Ames and Whitman.

"They just didn't seem to care," Shankle said. "Their decision was made quite awhile ago. It was obvious."

He said three of the five board members had conflicts because of associations with schools that were considered for closure, but passed over.

"They have a huge conflict of interest," Shankle said.

He said some parents have met with an attorney and are considering a lawsuit centered on the alleged conflict.

Board President Bob Colwell said he can't comment on a lawsuit until he's seen it.

Colwell said at least 10 schools were considered for closure.

"Almost every one of us had a student at one point that went to one of those schools," Colwell said. "But I have no one in school at this point. If you're going to say we didn't close the school where my kids went eight years ago, that's true."

Assistant school superintendent Kirk Madsen said closing Ames and Whitman saves the district about $600,000. The district would still need to pay the costs to maintain the empty structures, such as utilities so the pipes don't freeze and mowing the lawn.

Other uses will be found for the buildings, Madsen said. Ideas that have been mentioned are preschools or adult education centers.

"It's not going to be like we're going to board up windows or anything like that," Madsen said.

morsonb@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5209