City School Board To Vote On Future Of 5 Schools Tuesday Night
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — The Baltimore City School Board will vote Tuesday night on the future of five schools.
The district recommends closing Gilmor Elementary, Monarch Academy, Northwood Appold Community Academy and Roots and Branches at the end of the year, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary/Middle at the end of the following year.
The board has previously voted to close Banneker Blake Academy at the end of this school year.
Tuesday afternoon, Monarch Academy students rallied to save their school one final time.
"What they're failing to realize is that we're not perfect. We know that, said Monarch Principal, Kiara Hargrove. "But we also know that we're servicing the children of Baltimore City, and as a community, we all have to come together versus closing down the schools that are getting it right."
Monarch Academy Students Petition To Keep School Open
Students from the academy took a field trip Jan. 3 to City Hall and delivered more than 1,000 letters and petitions to the offices of Mayor Catherine Pugh and City Council President, Jack Young.
Advocates argue that more than academics are important at the academy.
"This is what they do, this is their routine," said parent and teacher, Kiniqua Hakim. "They come here every day, they know what they're learning, they have friends, they love their teachers- I can see how it could mess with the child's emotional state."
The board is being asked to consider that as well.
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