JEFFERSON PARISH, La. — Five-year-old Kennedee Bradley loves going to Frederick Douglass
Elementary in Gretna. But things will likely change for her and about 2,000 other Jefferson Parish public school students next year.
The Jefferson Parish School System announced Wednesday night it plans to close several campuses, and many parents were stunned to learn the news.
Douglass students would go to Johnson Gretna Park Elementary and McDonogh 26.
Jefferson Elementary students would be moved down the street to to Riverdale Middle School, which would become K through 8th.
Thibodeaux Elementary would be moved to Pitre Elementary, and Washington Elementary will move to Bunche Elementary.
Plans also call for creating five new schools. The school district said the goal is to cut spending and to send more students to higher-performing schools.
Change won't only come to the classroom. At the Jefferson Parish School System’s central office, about 21 people could lose their jobs. Officials say that's to prevent further cuts on different campuses.
While some were shocked to learn the news, others hope the school system might reconsider before it makes any final decision on March 4.
"Our children are the ones that come to the schools,” said Lori Anders, who was waiting Thursday to pick up her grandchild. “It doesn't affect them, because they're just the board.”
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