UPDATE: 11:30 p.m.
Plans to shut down Chester Middle and use the building to accomodate students from overcrowded Thomas Dale High School were unveiled at the Chesterfield School Board meeting Tuesday night to a "reluctant" group of parents and students.
About half a dozen parents whose children attend Chester Middle School spoke against the proposed plan, and so did their kids.
"I want to graduate from the school with my friends.." says Chester Middle School cheerleader, Taylor Buckley.
"I don't know what I'd do without my friends..they help me.." says Chester Middle School student, 12 year-old Savannah Radcliffe.
School officials say the plan is not set in stone. A community meeting will be held at Thomas Dale High School next week, and the meeting is open to the public to discuss the current proposal.
Also, a decision won't be made by the school board until late January, 2010.
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Tough economic times are calling for Chesterfield County to utilize resources wisely. That's what school board member Marshall Trammell says about a proposal to close down a county middle school.
Tonight the school board will review a proposal to close Chester Middle at the end of this school year to help ease overcrowding at nearby Thomas Dale High.
CBS 6 first reported the story Sunday, but school administrators didn't officially annouce the proposal until Tuesday.
School officials have withheld comment to make sure teachers and staff knew first.
Plans to open a new high school in 2016 have been delayed because of the downturn in the economy, therefore the overcrowding at Thomas Dale must be addressed sooner.
The proposal is not set in stone. There will be a meeting Wednesday, December 16 at Thomas Dale to take public input.
School officials say the decision will save county taxpayers $40 million. If Chester Middle School is closed, students will be moved to Davis and Carter Middle Schools.
Trammell says, "Personally, as an elected representative spending taxpayer dollars, I cannot continue to support middle schools that are not fully utilized when we have so many other pressing priorities completely competing for funding."
Many parents are upset about the proposal saying they want their children to stay at Chester Middle School and not be bussed further away from their homes.
Plans to shut down Chester Middle and use the building to accomodate students from overcrowded Thomas Dale High School were unveiled at the Chesterfield School Board meeting Tuesday night to a "reluctant" group of parents and students.
About half a dozen parents whose children attend Chester Middle School spoke against the proposed plan, and so did their kids.
"I want to graduate from the school with my friends.." says Chester Middle School cheerleader, Taylor Buckley.
"I don't know what I'd do without my friends..they help me.." says Chester Middle School student, 12 year-old Savannah Radcliffe.
School officials say the plan is not set in stone. A community meeting will be held at Thomas Dale High School next week, and the meeting is open to the public to discuss the current proposal.
Also, a decision won't be made by the school board until late January, 2010.
======
Tough economic times are calling for Chesterfield County to utilize resources wisely. That's what school board member Marshall Trammell says about a proposal to close down a county middle school.
Tonight the school board will review a proposal to close Chester Middle at the end of this school year to help ease overcrowding at nearby Thomas Dale High.
CBS 6 first reported the story Sunday, but school administrators didn't officially annouce the proposal until Tuesday.
School officials have withheld comment to make sure teachers and staff knew first.
Plans to open a new high school in 2016 have been delayed because of the downturn in the economy, therefore the overcrowding at Thomas Dale must be addressed sooner.
The proposal is not set in stone. There will be a meeting Wednesday, December 16 at Thomas Dale to take public input.
School officials say the decision will save county taxpayers $40 million. If Chester Middle School is closed, students will be moved to Davis and Carter Middle Schools.
Trammell says, "Personally, as an elected representative spending taxpayer dollars, I cannot continue to support middle schools that are not fully utilized when we have so many other pressing priorities completely competing for funding."
Many parents are upset about the proposal saying they want their children to stay at Chester Middle School and not be bussed further away from their homes.
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