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Parents Protest Glastonbury School Closures

More than a dozen parents spoke out at a Board of Education meeting Monday night in Glastonbury, making it clear they don’t want their schools shut down. ...

More than a dozen parents spoke out at a Board of Education meeting Monday night in Glastonbury, making it clear they don’t want their schools shut down.

The meeting was the first dedicated to the issue of  “school consolidation” in Glastonbury.

It comes after a proposal in May to shut down two elementary schools, prompted by a predicted decline in enrollments.

The board was initially considering closure of Eastbury School by 2016 and Naubuc School by 2020.

However, leaders are now leaning toward creation of a “trigger enrollment number” that would signal time for closure, instead of a specific date.

Parents and community members at Monday’s meeting don’t want the schools to close at any time.

“It’s not very nice what you guys are doing,” said Michael Stern.

Board of Education Chairman Susan Karp explained the possible compromise solution.

“Our enrollment projections can always change, and we recognize that, so it would probably make more sense to link it to a number rather than to a year.”

The problem stems from declining birth rates nationwide and in Connecticut leading to lower enrollments in schools.

“We realize how much pride people take in their schools. All of our schools are excellent. We are very proud of all of them, but we also realize that parents and students have great attachments,” said Karp.

 

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