Apr 29, 2009 5:46 pm US/Eastern
Board Votes To Close 7 Baltimore Schools
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
There was swift action from city school board members as they made changes to close at least seven city schools.
As
Gigi Barnett reports, some schools are still in limbo and one of them helps pregnant teens.
At the end of a lengthy school board meeting Tuesday night, the vote came. Now seven city schools will close for good. William Lemmel Middle, Harriet Tubman Elementary, Thurgood Marshall High, Homeland Security Academy, George Kelson Elementary/Middle and, in 2010, Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle will all shut their doors.
Some parents and teachers pleaded against the move.
"I think our students are unfairly being asked to uproot themselves and start over at a new school, and other schools that closed in the past have been given the chance to be phased out over time," said one parent.
"People say they don't want the schools closed and you just make the decision to close the schools and say this is the best thing for the children. Then who's listening to the people?" said Bill Goodin.
But the fate of one school is still undecided. Laurence G. Paquin Middle/High School for Pregnant Girls and Teen Mothers is supposed to merge with an alternative school for boys.
Paquin School supporters say they fear the merger.
"We believe that it would be destructive. We believe that in many respects, it would increase the possibility of child abuse because there are children there in the nurseries and children there with their parents," said Kweisi Mfume.
But school leaders say only a small part of the Paquin School building is being used and a merger could save thousands. But the action is on hold because City Schools CEO Dr. Andres Alonso doesn't need the board's approval to merge schools.
Paquin School's principal says a program for pregnant girls can expand citywide.
"We want to talk with you, Dr. Andres Alonso, so that we can then move to become and support other schools that have young women whose needs are not obvious because they are not expecting or parenting," said Dr. Rosetta Stith.
School leaders say the purpose of closing and merging the schools is to save money and expand successful schools.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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