Local meeting set to counter school closure proposals

The St. Mary Parish Association of Educators (SMAE), local affiliate of the Louisiana Association of Educators, will host an open public forum, “S.O.S: Save Our Schools, Save Our Students,” to hear the questions, comments, and concerns of all public stakeholders, in reference to the recent announcement by the St. Mary Parish School Board to consolidate two of the parish’s public schools.
It will be held Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 4:30 p.m. at the St. Mary Parish Library branch in Franklin, 206 Iberia St.
According to a press release, members of the St. Mary Parish School Board recently announced plans to possibly close two St. Mary Parish elementary schools in response to a looming budget shortfall. The release states, “In addition to these closures, there have also been claims that the board could potentially cut the salaries of all district employees in an effort to help offset the deficit. These troubling recommendations were announced just two weeks before a plan of action must be voted upon, offering little time for public input. In an attempt to have the voice of the community heard, the St. Mary Association of Educators has organized an open forum, which will allow concerned members of the affected communities to share their concerns.”
Administrators and elected school board members have been invited and are encouraged to attend, the release concludes.