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Parents, teachers and students urge New London Board to pause planned Jennings school closure
Summary
During public comment, multiple parents, a teacher and a student urged the New London Board of Education to delay closing Jennings School, asking for more community process, a sustainability plan, and that the City consider using discretionary funds to keep utilities covered.
Several parents, a teacher and a current high-school student urged the New London Board of Education during the public-comment period to pause the planned closure of Jennings School and seek alternative budget solutions.
Brad Sheridan told the board he believes an extra year could prevent staff and student departures and asked the Mayor and City Council to use discretionary funds or pursue state funding: "He stated that he understands that this isn’t the Board’s decision, but that the City’s discretionary fund is meant for rainy days. He is hoping that the Mayor and City Council will hear and do that." Other speakers — including parent Maya Sheppard and Alicia McAvay of the People’s Budget Coalition — asked for a longer community process, a five-year sustainability plan and for officials to 'pick apart' the budget for alternatives rather than proceeding with closures.
A high-school student, Bianca Sinclair, said secondary schools are noisy during timed exams and questioned how attendance awards are given and whether some students are missing coursework. Teacher and lifelong resident Laura Burfoot warned that previous elementary closures have reduced neighborhood schools from five to two over 20 years and urged the board to explore options such as consolidating leased spaces instead of shuttering Jennings.
The public comments did not produce an immediate board vote or direction on Jennings; the speakers asked the board to press the City and explore alternatives. The board proceeded with the rest of its agenda, including routine approvals and presentations.
