Parents rally to save elementary school
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JACKSON, Tenn.–During Wednesday evening’s “2020” Community meeting, parents and community members rally to save Beech Bluff Elementary. More than 100 people turned out for the meeting Wednesday at Jackson State Community College. In all three district reorganization concepts released this week, Beech Bluff Elementary was on the chopping block. The result equaled to dozens of parents who voiced their opinion during the meeting. “We’re here. We’re gonna fight for Beech Bluff. We’re going to stay. We’re going to fight for all our community schools,” said parent Carla Chumney. Consultant Eric Bosman said the idea behind closing Beech Bluff was based on its location and enrollment. “It’s a very sparsely populated area, but we’ve heard clearly tonight that’s an important community institution. We need to look into continuing to use it as an educational school,” said Bosman. After hearing the feedback, new concepts were proposed. Two included extending Beech Bluff from a kindergarten through 5th grade school to 8th grade. The third would close the school, and send students to Rose Hill, which would become an elementary school. Bosman reiterated these were just concepts an actual plan is not expected until December. Consultants said they will keep deliberating on plans throughout the summer, as they work toward their December deadline. A decision will not go into effect until the 2016-17 school year.
