SAGINAW -- Saginaw students and parents will adjust to some changes before the 2013-2014 school year. The board approved a consolidation plan recommended by Superintendent Carlton Jenkins Wednesday night after hours of questions and comments from the public.
Under the plan Arthur Eddy Academy, Jerome Elementary School and Longfellow Elementary School will close for the 2013-2014 school year. Students will be distributed to Heavenrich, Houghton, and Merrill Park elementary schools, respectively.
Saginaw Public Schools faces a $32 million budget deficit.
Jenkins said student learning was his top priority in making the recommendation.
"No parent had lower expectations for what they wanted their children to do when it comes to learning,” he said. “They wanted their children to be able to learn in a quality environment, in a safe environment."
Safiya Mosley, the district’s information specialist, said, “One of the things that Dr. Jenkins wanted to do is to make sure that whatever is brought before the board would help with the academic performance of our students as well as be fiscally responsible.”
Jenkins also said he took into consideration recommendations an academic task force of parents, teachers and community members made last month.
Transition activities ahead of the school consolidation will begin April 15.
