Muskegon Heights considers closing elementary to save money

MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich. (WZZM) - Muskegon Heights Public Schools is considering closing Martin Luther King Elementary in an effort to save money.

During the school board meeting Monday night, parents and teachers spent hours stating their cases and making heart felt pleas to keep the school open.

"There is just no reason why I have to let them down once again and tell them 'you are displaced and you are going to one of three other buildings, and Mrs. Flynn has to pack up her room in front of [you] and say goodbye,'" said teacher Janelle Flynn.

Superintendent Dana Bryant recommended shutting the doors of King Elementary and spread students among Roosevelt and Edgewood schools. The proposal even made board members tear up.

"All of the energy that I feel in this room, take it to Lansing, because that's where the dollars have to come from," said School Board Vice President Marilyn Calbert.

Every district in the state of Michigan faces a total per pupil loss of $292. Muskegon Heights is looking at a $1.8 million deficit.

"Not even counting the reduction in enrollment this year, nor the reduction in state funding this year that deficit at the end of this fiscal year could be close to $3 million," said Bryant.

Community members had other suggestions, like closing smaller schools and filling King Elementary to capacity, or cutting administrative jobs instead of closing schools.

"When was the last time cuts were considered at the level of central office personnel?" asked Muskegon resident Clair Verway.

Parent Vinia Commons, was even blunter, suggesting board members need to pound the pavement harder for funding.

"Get out there. I'm going to say it street wise: you need to pimp this district for money. I'm for real. Get out there and get money for this school district. I do not want my kids going to Muskegon Public Schools or any other school district."

The Superintendent presented his recommendation to close King School to the Michigan Board of Education and also asked for concessions, which were denied. The board will likely call a special meeting to vote on whether to close King Elementary for good by November 6.