CHATTAHOOCHEE, FL (WTXL) -- Monday, the Gadsden County School Board continued its series of public meetings about re-configuration.
Last week, the meetings brought packed crowds to Gretna Elementary School and St. John Elementary School in Quincy -- both of which are slated to close at the end of the current school year, based on superintendent Roger Milton's proposal.
Even though Chattahoochee Elementary School isn't planned to close, residents are deeply concerned about what will happen to students.
About 200 residents listened to Milton present his proposal Monday night. It calls for students in grades 1-3 to move to Greensboro Primary School -- and students in grades 4 and 5 to the newly proposed West Gadsden Middle School. Both actions would go into effect in the 2018-19
Chattahoochee would be the site of an "early learning center" for grades Pre-K and kindergarten, but residents and city officials are concerned about what this proposal could mean if it's finalized.
"We have apparently been considered the redheaded stepchild of Gadsden County," said city manager Lee Garner.
"If we go through with this, I don't have many grounds to stand on," said mayor Chris Moultry. "What's going to happen? Going to Sneads. I'm a parent. I'm telling you reality."
"These moves that you propose signal that Gadsden County School Board puts dollars first," said councilman L.B. Howell, addressing Milton.
"There's no way we should be allowing our school system to do this," said resident T.J. Carlisle. "It doesn't make sense. In my opinion, it's not logical."
If the current proposal gets passed, that means students in those affected grades would have to go to school 20 minutes away, but that's not the only proposal on the table. Board chair Isaac Simmons, who represents this district, said he's against Milton's plans for Chattahoochee Elementary.
Simmons proposed that students from Gadsden Elementary Magnet School (GEMS) be moved into one of the buildings at Chattahoochee Elementary -- and to close GEMS.
The next community meeting will be held Monday, February 27 at 6 p.m. at West Gadsden High School.
