Schools
School Board Votes To Keep East Elementary Open For Foreseeable Future
The "benefits of consolidating did not outweigh the risks and the concerns that we're faced with," Board President Sam Pinto said.
LONG BEACH, NY — The Long Beach Board of Education voted on Monday night to save East Elementary from consolidation.
The vote, 4-1, keeps the school from closing for the foreseeable future.
With several elementary school students in attendance, Board President Sam Pinto announced: "The majority of the board felt the benefits of consolidating did not outweigh the risks and the concerns that we're faced with."
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Parent Joanne Kapp's Change.org petition to keep East Elementary at full capacity received more than 4,000 signatures.
School officials planned to consolidate East Elementary with the other three elementary schools in Long Beach as a cost-cutting measure.
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One board member said it was "way too difficult for the community and I don't think it serves the community at this time."
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