Parents upset as Yonkers board closes elementary school
A Yonkers school will be closing at the end of the school year, despite pushback from some families.
More Stories
A Yonkers school will be closing at the end of the school year, despite pushback from some families.
"What is to happen to my son if Museum 25 closes? You call this a community school, that is what it is," said a parent during Wednesday's board of education meeting.
The Yonkers Board of Education voted in favor of the closure Wednesday evening.
"He is so accustomed to everyone so it's kind of heartbreaking. He has to redo the process of meeting everyone again," says Yesenia Cuello whose son goes to Museum School 25.
Parents like Cuello are disappointed.
They say they really like the school and the resources it offers.
"It's really close too, so it's really convenient," Cuello tells News 12.
However, the district says the closure is necessary.
A little more than 220 students go there. Enrollment is down, and needed repairs to the building are costly.
"We understand it's a negative impact on them and we don't take that lightly but we do need to make some recommendations in order to try and do some cost savings but also, to fill up some of the other schools which have a ton of space and room," says Yonkers Public Schools Superintendent Aníbal Soler, Jr.
Some parents and even staff want to see the costs cut elsewhere. They spoke up during Wednesday's meeting.
Wednesday coverage
On the other hand, Edwin Bermudez hopes this leads to better opportunities for his daughters down the road.
"It's a good school but if they're closing it down, it's probably for a reason," says Edwin Bermudez whose daughters attend Museum School 25.
Families will need to select a new school through the special ballot process.
Leaders with the district say they will be working with the students and their parents on this transition.
