Photo: Chaiel Schaffel/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Parents and students are fighting against the proposed closure of the Mary Lyon High School in Brighton.
Boston Public Schools officials recommended the closure last month, along with three other schools around the city.
The proposed closure is part of a plan to merge some of Boston's schools into larger ones with more resources. In a presentation given to the community, BPS said Mary Lyon High is only at around 40% capacity, and that the building is showing too much wear and tear.
Advocates and parents argue the smaller school size is a plus, as students can get more attention. The Mary Lyon School is an inclusion school, merging students with and without special needs in the same classrooms. The school has been hailed in the past for that relatively unique teaching method.
Dozens of parents protested against the proposal Tuesday night, and signs that read things like “Save Mary Lyon” dot the outside of the school.
Students at the school don't seem thrilled, either.
“It’s kind of crazy because it’s my first year here so I’m gonna have to move schools again,” said one student.
Others lamented losing their friends to other schools, as well as the teachers they like and feel comfortable with.
The plan isn't set in stone yet. The Boston School Committee still needs to approve the school closure in a vote this spring.
WBZ’s Chaiel Schaffel (@CSchaffelWBZ) reports.