The school board closed our school...

Specialties School

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The school board voted 5-1 to close our Montessori elementary school. We are heartbroken. Listening to the sobs of those children in the meeting last night was one of the worst things I've ever heard. I tried to prepare myself all along for this result but a tiny part of me held out hope that we could change their minds. I know it is not from lack of trying because we worked so hard to keep this amazing school open.

I want to thank everyone here who offered their support. I really appreciate it.

Today I am an emotional wreck. I am going to hunker down and do what I do best which is take care of kids. But it's very hard. People keep asking me how I am doing and I just burst into tears. Ugh.

Specializes in NCSN.

I am so very sorry this happened. I was really hoping to hear good news for you, your little one that goes there and the whole school.

I hope you have a very uneventful day today in the office and a restful weekend to heal and recharge.

Specializes in pediatrics, School LVN.

I am so sorry, sending a big virtual hug.

Specializes in Med/Surg/Infection Control/Geriatrics.

So sorry! That's got be hard. Sending comfort and hugs your way!!!

Specializes in School Nursing.

This seems to be the hardest on the adults. The kids have actually done amazingly well today. Extra counselors came from the other schools to be on hand just in case. Otherwise we kept the school day as normal as we could and ended the day playing BINGO. :laugh:

Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

I'm thinking the kiddos will adjust just fine, they seem to be a resilient bunch. It might be tough on the parents having to arrange transport to a different school if the new one is some distance away but that's not an impossible thing. The people it's going to be hardest on though is faculty and staff. I am very sorry for the upheaval they are facing. Are there even enough positions to absorb them into other schools in the district? How many will be out of a job with the school closing?

Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

I'm so sorry to hear this. :(

I'm so sorry. Our children need more amazing schools, not less. What a shame:(

so sorry to hear that was their decision.

Specializes in School Nursing.
I'm thinking the kiddos will adjust just fine, they seem to be a resilient bunch. It might be tough on the parents having to arrange transport to a different school if the new one is some distance away but that's not an impossible thing. The people it's going to be hardest on though is faculty and staff. I am very sorry for the upheaval they are facing. Are there even enough positions to absorb them into other schools in the district? How many will be out of a job with the school closing?

Our school was so small that there were only 6 teaching positions. 4 of the teachers have tenure and will be reassigned to other elementary schools in the district. 2 of our teachers did not have tenure. One was let go right away when other district staff was laid off and the other one would have had a position if the Montessori school had remained open. Our guidance counselor, which we share with another school, had her hours cut back to .5 but only if the Montessori school stayed open. She has already found another full time position at an elementary school in a different district. I am really happy for her! They are so lucky to get her!

Our new elementary school is the same distance from our house as the Montessori school...just in a different direction. There will be 3 teacher openings there next year and I would LOVE if one of our teachers ended up there! I think it would really soften the blow for my daughters to see one of the people they know so well there every day. Right now we know of no other families who will be at the new school. It's right at the edge of the district so other families are choosing schools more centrally located.

Specializes in School Nursing, Pediatrics.

I am so sorry!

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