Thursday, March 5, 2009

Howell to close Southard school

The township school board voted unanimously Wednesday night to close Southard Elementary School to help close the district's budget gap.
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School Board President Mary Cerretani tearfully nodded her head shortly after 10 p.m. Wednesday, silently casting the final "yes" vote to close the school as about 200 residents and teachers looked on.
It was unclear how many staffers will be laid off as a result of the decision.
The school has been open since 1955. Closing it is expected to save some $2.3 million.
Cerretani warned that the district may decide to close another school depending upon state and federal aid figures. She also said it is possible a school could be closed in May if voters defeat the budget next month and cuts need to be enacted.
The crowd at the board meeting was roughly divided between parents who wanted the school to remain open and residents who wanted the budget to be cut to avoid a large tax hike.
School administrators had claimed the budget deficit could be as high as $4.5 million for the next school year. That depended on state aid figures and the application of rules on how to account for prior budget maneuvers.
The district built three schools five years ago, but because of declining enrollment, school officials decided closing one of the 13 schools was the best option.
"We are not in the position of predicting what the future of enrollment will be," school board member Robert Antonaccio said. "Jobs are being lost. This is an enrollment problem. There is now a need to make a correction."
Some parents had fought for the schools to remain open and offered substitute budget cuts.
Barbara Lashley, who has taught in the district for 39 years, said in an interview that she was shocked.
"It's a sweet school," she said. "It's the only home I've ever known."
Other teachers hugged in the hallways after the board's decision.
"We are faced with making a bold and decisive decision," Superintendent Enid Golden told the crowd. "This is a high-stakes decision. We are talking about people, parents, the community."

By MICHELLE GLADDEN • STAFF WRITER • March 5, 2009 from www.dailyrecord.com