Parents question proposed Boston school closings

JAMAICA PLAIN, Mass. -- Frustrated parents stormed out of a school committee meeting Thursday night, questioning why their children's schools could be closed under a new proposal.Boston schools are facing a $63 million shortfall with�5,600 empty seats citywide.��Boston Public Schools�Superintendent Carol Johnson's�solution is to close 13 schools, and merge four of those with other schools.Parents blasted the proposal at a school committee meeting Thursday.?My concerns is, how come in the community, our black community, why are all our schools being closed down,? said Shunika Walker, a parent.?I have an autistic child at the Lee Academy School,? said one woman.That mother�said that her 7-year-old son Mason has made great strides at his school, which is set to be merged with another.?And now, they are trying to take that away from him,? said Mason's mom. Schools affected by proposal:-- Fifield Elementary School in Dorchester (slated to close)-- Farragut Elementary School in Mission Hill (slated to close)-- Agassiz Elementary School in Jamaica Plain (slated to close)-- Middle School Academy (slated to close)-- Emerson Elementary in Roxbury (slated to close)-- East Zone Early Learning Center in Dorchester (slated to close)-- Mario Umana Middle School Academy would merge with Dante Aligheri School -- Excel High School and Monument High School would merge-- Brook Farm Business & Service Career Academy and Media Communications Technology High School would merge-- Lee Academy Pilot School and Joseph Lee Elementary School would merge-- Engineering School and the Social Justice Academy (share a building in Hyde Park) (slated for closure)-- Gavin Middle School in South Boston would be converted into a charter school-- Urban Science Academy and Parkway Academy of Technology and Health would merge Johnson said the proposal is out of necessity, driven by simple math.?I absolutely hate closing schools. I know how unsettling it is for parents. I know how much they grow to love their school, their school community, the teachers and the family. This is a very hard decision,? said Superintendent Johnson.The plan, already being met with protests, also includes increasing class sizes and reducing bus service for some students while closing what are considered to be underperforming schools.Some parents call that backwards thinking.?You put money into the schools you say are doing well, well give the kids an opportunity to do well. Don?t take the little opportunities they have away from them,? said Danielle Cunningham, a community activist.Another hearing will be held at the English High School next Wednesday. The school committe will then vote�the following Wednesday.(Copyright (c) 2010 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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