2/21/14 - The Howell school district is considering closing Southeast Elementary School, and parents of students there met last night to discuss the change. In January, the districtâs Facilities Committee recommended closing Southeast, sending the general student population to newer Three Fires Elementary, and moving the Cognitively Impaired Program to either Challenger or Northwest Elementary. The plan also calls for laying off a total of six teachers and keeping the Southeast building open as a preschool and event center. Many parents of Southeast students are upset about the proposal, and last night more than a dozen gathered to discuss objections and alternatives to the plan as presented. They said forcing a relocation on the students, particularly the CI students, would be very difficult on the children, and the resulting student population of Three Fires would be too big for elementary students. They also argued that since the building would not be closed, the only real cost savings for the district will be the associated layoffs. Theresa McDevitt, secretary for the schoolâs PTO, tells WHMI the parents plan to make a plea to the school board to reject the plan to close the school. The board will vote on the proposal at an upcoming meeting, but the PTO does not expect that vote to come on Monday. It could be held at the boardâs following meeting in March. (TD)
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