The Area Butler School District is moving forward with plans to close five of its 11 elementary schools.
During a preliminary vote Monday night, the school board voted 6-3 in favor of closing Broad Street, Center Avenue, Clearfield, Meridian and Oakland elementary schools.
The closings would go into effect for next school year.
BUTLER, Pa. โ "I don't know what to tell my kids," one parent told Channel 11's Amy Marcinkiewicz on Tuesday.
Starting next month, a series of public hearings will be held leading up the boardโs final vote in May.
โMy kids are asking me, โMommy, where are we going to go to school?โ and I just donโt know what to tell them,โ said Laura Wick, whose kids attend Broad Street Elementary.
Not all parents are against the proposal. Some just want the district to slow down.
โI just donโt think that theyโre hearing us,โ said Kelly Calhoun, a Center Avenue Elementary parent.
The schoolโs superintendent told Marcinkiewicz over the phone that a drop in attendance has forced the district to find ways to save money.
Many parents argue there are other options, and more than 1,200 people have signed a petition to stop the schools from being shut down.
โWe need to look at other data and we need to look at other options. We donโt need to rush this,โ said Nina Teff, a Meridian Elementary parent.
WPXI