City School Officials Issue List Of Schools To Close

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- City school officials have announced which Baltimore schools may not be around after this school year.

Amy Yensi has more on why the schools are at risk and what parents have to say.

City school officials make these recommendations every year. Some schools were spared this time around but five schools may still close.

"I'm very upset about it because where are my kids going?" said parent Shannon Beasley.

Parents are asking this about five Baltimore City schools that may close at the end of the school year. Maritime Industries Academy and Baltimore Community are two high schools on the chopping block. Charter schools Roots and Branches and Maryland Academy of Technology and Health Sciences, along with Westside Elementary, are slated to close.

Westside, in the Penn-North community at the heart of April's riots, residents say it offers a slew of family services.

"We're doing a lot of things more than just educating and once we close, those resources will kind of disappear for these families," said Larry Simmons, the community school coordinator for Westside Elementary.

City Schools CEO Gregory Thornton cited academic performance and enrollment at Tuesday's board meeting. The district's statement said, in part, "The annual portfolio review is a critical part of our strategy to improve the quality and range of educational outcomes for Baltimore City students."

Just last week, there was a deadly shooting just steps away from Westside Elementary. The children were in an after-school program and were not hurt. Parents say it's a recent reminder that schools are a safe place for children in communities who need it most.

"Then you're going to have the kids on the street, then we're already complaining about the streets and the killings," said parent Ieasha Bracey.

In the coming months, these recommendations will be will be discussed at public hearings. The school board will vote in January on whether to accept them.

The board is also considering whether to merge schools.