Teachers, parents and students urge alternatives to school closures in New London budget debate

Multiple community members urged the New London Board of Education on March 2 to seek alternatives to closing school buildings as the district addresses a budget shortfall. Speakers proposed program consolidation, moving PreK programs, and relocating central office staff to reduce rent and maintain pathways.

Julia Costello, a Jennings teacher, said she understands the district’s enrollment decline but that closing a building would not serve students. "I do not believe that closing a school is an option," she said, warning that closures increase class sizes and disrupt students. Other speakers, including Margaret Lewis (a 31‑year teacher) and Courtney Johnson (a military parent), stressed that closures would damage magnet recruitment and student experience.

Cheryl Potter (written testimony, read aloud) proposed repurposing Jennings to house PreK and Kindergarten and moving central office staff into Jennings to save rent at Shaw’s Cove; she suggested B.P. Mission could be considered for closure if those moves occurred. Several speakers urged the Board to engage students, parents and teachers in planning should Option C proceed.

Students and youth advocates spoke in favor of legislative advocacy to find funding. Bianka Caremise of Hearing Youth Voices urged the Board to support HB5002 and asked district leadership to attend state advocacy events.

Board members did not vote on closures at the March 2 meeting; the public record shows strong community resistance to building closures and several concrete alternatives proposed for saving money while preserving programs.