LCS school closure is still possible even after the board reverses its decision

Lynchburg, Virginia – Despite their vote to halt the closure of two elementary campuses, Lynchburg City campuses still face the threat of closing their doors.

Vice Chairman Dr. Martin Day used his time during board remarks at the Lynchburg City School Board meeting on Tuesday night to talk about the board’s decision two weeks prior to stopping the closing of Sandusky and T.C. Miller Elementary School.

In September of last year, the board decided to close the schools as part of its Facilities Master Plan. However, the decision was reversed by the board following nearly a year of opposition from parents, students, teachers, and staff. They chose to just reconstruct Sandusky Elementary.

Dr. Day claims that the board’s decision to simply rebuild Sandusky Elementary is all that has changed. Dr. Day added that T.C. Miller and other institutions might still have to close.

“Our decision to rescind means we have undone the decision to close or convert T.C. Miller because that was a part of Scenario 3,” Dr. Day said. “That does not mean we have ruled out its closure or conversion in the future; we simply have left its fate undecided.”

The schools listed below are those that MGT gave LCS to perhaps close or convert as part of the Facilities Master Plan:

• Fort Hill Community School

• Dearington Elementary School

• Paul Munro Elementary School

According to Dr. Day, the decision to revoke Scenario 3 also eliminated plans for close-to-home rezoning and other school renovations.

In a letter to the Lynchburg City Council, Dr. Day and School Board Chairman Dr. Atul Gupta stated that they had withdrawn their vote to close the schools and rebuild Sandusky.