St. Joseph speakers urge board to reject school-closure plans, press for "Plan E"

Dozens of students, teachers, parents and residents at a St. Joseph School District public forum urged the Board of Education to reject administration proposals that would close or consolidate neighborhood schools and to adopt a community-backed plan called "Plan E." Speakers said closures would disrupt students' academic and extracurricular opportunities, force some families to leave the district and risk future drops in enrollment.

The public comment period featured lengthy statements from high school students and teachers. Lily Bridges, a senior at Lafayette High School, said she chose Lafayette "to be a name, not a number," and told the board the district should "choose a plan that includes everyone." Eliana Rumbla, student body president at Benton High School, told the board, "There does not need to be a decision made today to close an entire school," and urged the board to adopt Plan E because it "is for everyone." Hannah Rush, a parent and Benton graduate, called the situation "a manufactured crisis" and accused the administration of financial mismanagement that is now being shifted onto students.

Why it matters: Speakers warned that school closures would reduce access to band, sports and other activities, increase average class sizes and place additional…