Parents make emotional plea, Cumberland Co. Board of Education votes to close 2 schools

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- Parents and teachers urged school leaders on Tuesday to keep Manchester Elementary and J.W. Coon open, but the Cumberland County Board of Education voted 5-3 to close the schools.

Students will be reassigned for the next school year.

Parents made emotional appeals before the vote, including Lynette Smith, who said Manchester Elementary had provided stability for her military family.

"Our teachers work hard. Our staff shows up every day for each and every child that walks through those doors," Smith said.

She asked board members to consider the broader impact of closing the school. "I ask you to think beyond the spreadsheets and consider the human impact," she said.

"What's a community if a school is close. The loss reaches far beyond the building. You lose stability. You lose connection. If for many children, you lose the place where they felt safe, supported and seen."

Teachers also expressed disappointment. Jamiedre Burns said the decision was painful for staff and families.

"It's tough because I love my students," Burns said. "I love my families. And I also love my my principal and my coworkers. We're a small school and we're a family. So to hear that when we knew that it was a possibility, but hearing now that it is a reality, it's sting. So, yeah, its stings still."

Board leaders said the consolidation is expected to save the district more than $630,000 per school each year. Vice Chairwoman Jacquelyn Brown said the savings are necessary.

"Saving that is critical to addressing our deficit and persevering staff positions that directly support students .. this is what makes tonight a difficult tasks," Brown said.

But some board members argued the closures will do more harm than good. Dr. Mary Hales said the district cannot ensure that jobs will be protected.

"Have we conducted a thorough analysis of the number of employment positions we will be able to maintain. We can not guarantee..jobs will be lost," Hales said.

Cumberland County Schools began discussing possible school consolidations last year after a facilities review by MGT of America Consulting, an independent firm. The review examined all 86 district buildings and found that about $800 million in repairs would be needed to address aging infrastructure.

County officials have said the closures will help reduce long-term maintenance costs, but many parents argue the effects on families could be long lasting.

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