Boston School Closings, Mergers Approved; Menino Backs Decision

BOSTON (CBS) -- Parents at the Agassiz Elementary School in Jamaica Plain this morning reacted to the School Committee's decision last night to close the school and eight others.

"I'm outraged. Outraged. I'm upset," said Stephanie Kehoe, the parent of a 6-year-old student. "She's really happy here. It's upsetting because it's her first year. She should be comfortable, not have to worry about moving."

The School Committee voted unanimously in favor of implementing Superintendent Carol Johnson's proposal. Nine schools will close next year and another eight will merge or consolidate into four. The plan would save $10 million in an effort to deal with a $63 million budget shortfall.

View: List of Closures Mergers and Expansions List of Changes

In a last-ditch effort to save the schools, parents and teachers packed the hearing room before the school committee took its vote Wednesday night. "You sell us out. These are our schools!" one parent blasted committee members.

The meeting at times turned into a shouting match with parents chanting "Save our schools," drowning out the superintendent when she tried to speak.

"I have one question for you, how well do you know our schools ... you are destroying relationships, you are destroying love," said a parent.

WBZ-TV's Sera Congi reports.

Boston Mayor Tom Menino tells WBZ News Radio he is on board with the changes. "What Carol Johnson is doing is best for the students of Boston. There's some hurt there, and I understand that, but we're going to do everything to make sure that those students that go to a different school have the availability to an excellent classroom."

WBZ News Radio talks with Menino.

Even though parents, teachers and students are upset about the closures and mergers, Menino said this restructuring plan is for the best. "It's about the kids; it's not about the building. And make sure those children have the best education they can. We're going to put arts back in the classroom, sports and programs like that, with the availability of resources. But we've to make those tough decisions now, and I think Superintendent Johnson and the School Committee did the right thing last evening."

Boston Teachers' Union President Richard Stutman also addressed the committee. "If the object of this plan of reshuffling thousands is to improve education, you have failed miserably."

The Boston school district has 5,600 empty seats in classrooms which cost taxpayers $20 million each year. The superintendent says that money would be better arts, athletics and academic programs.

WBZ News Radio's Lana Jones reports.

The schools slated for closure will finish out the year. Those students and teachers will be placed elsewhere in the fall of 2011.