MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - The school board in Shelby County has voted to close nine schools and merge two others which will uproot thousands of students.
The Commercial Appeal (https://bit.ly/1lly5qA) reports the board took the vote Tuesday evening after hearing emotional pleas from community members to keep the schools open.
Originally, 13 were slated for closure, but Superintendent Dorsey Hopson recommended removing two schools from the list and merging the others.
Board members voted to close Corry Middle, Cypress Middle, Shannon Elementary, Klondike Elementary, Vance Middle School, Lanier Middle, Westhaven Elementary, Gordon Elementary and Graves Elementary. Riverview Elementary and Riverview Middle will merge to create a K-8 school.
School supporters packed the room, spilling out into the hallways at the Frances E. Coe Auditorium where the meeting was held.
“I hope that people continue to carry that passion and excitement about education regardless of the decisions made this evening,” Hopson said.
The actions were recommended after a district analyses found deteriorating buildings, declining enrollment, failing proficiency scores and a lack of resources to offer programs like music, athletics and art.
Some parents worried that students wouldn’t be sent to schools with better academic results.
Hopson removed Alcy Elementary from the closure list after a plan was submitted to boost literacy at the school, where less than 25 percent of students are proficient in math, reading and language arts.
Democratic state Rep. Raumesh Akbari helped galvanize support for keeping Alcy open by working with residents, businesses and nonprofit organizations to mentor and tutor students.
“We have 60 parents and community partners committed to spending at least three hours at the school,” Akbari said. “We’ve made it clear if they don’t show up, they are not showing up for the children.”
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Information from: The Commercial Appeal, https://www.commercialappeal.com
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