METAIRIE, La. — Thousands of students could be moved to different schools in August if Jefferson Parish adopts a plan presented by Superintendent Cade Brumley Wednesday night.
Brumley's plan consolidates some underperforming schools with higher-scoring schools and merging schools to create five new K-8 programs.
"This impacts about four percent of our total district population, in terms of students who would have some form of movement," Brumley said. "Four percent. We're a 51,000 kid district."
After some upfront costs for moving and demolition, the district believes it will save taxpayers in the long run.
"What we're accomplishing through this plan is the ability to save $16 million every year and simultaneously, even while we're doing that, we're adding additional mental and behavioral health programs for our kids," he said. "We are increasing teacher technology."
But some of those at the front of the classrooms feel as though they're being left behind.
"Every teacher that went up and talked about it tonight was against it," Jeffrey Barrois, a teacher at Jefferson Elementary said. "And the very first thing that they did, after we had our only chance to comment on it, was they said, lets vote to approve this at the next meeting."
Jennifer Reed's school, Riverdale Middle School, is on the list for consolidation.
"We don't feel that there's a lot of transparency," Reed, a teacher, said "And we don't feel like our voices are really asked for when making decisions like that."
Still, the Superintendent believes this is what's best for the district and for student's futures.
On Thursday, parents in the affected schools will get letters detailing the proposed changes. The school board will vote on the proposal next month.
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