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MOBERLY, MO. -- Scholastic officials are closing down their Moberly packaging center while expanding their operations in Jefferson City.

That means 135 Moberly employees must decide whether they want to apply for 1 of 90 new job openings in the Capital City.

It’s all about corporate consolidation.

Scholastic company leaders decided to cut back on their toy business and close their Moberly distribution center.  The remaining toy operations will move to Jefferson City and save the company money.  135 Moberly Scholastic employees have first dibs on 90 new jobs at the Jefferson City Facility.  That means at least 45 Moberly Scholastic employees will have to find new jobs.

Scholastic Spokeswoman Kyle Good said, “At the same time, we don’t assume that everyone would want to make the move to the new location.  90 jobs is a lot of new jobs in Jefferson City.  During peak season, we have about 1,500 workers in Jefferson City.  We’re adding about 100 more.  It will be just under 1,600 during our peak season.”

Company officials are in the process of contacting Moberly employees interested in having a job in Jefferson City.

Scholastic employees found out about the closing of their Moberly facility on Thursday.  The Moberly packaging center officially closes early next year.

Scholastic officials shut down their Moberly call center in April.