Parents Discuss Strategies to Keep Regency Park Elementary School Open

There has been no officials discussion about the matter, but residents of the Regency Park neighborhood in Plum are concerned that Regency Park Elementary might close in the next few years.

A group of about 15 parents and residents met on Saturday at Plum Community Library to discuss strategies should the school board decide to close the Regency Park—and they have the support of at least one school board member.

In February, a study of custodial and maintenance services by Frombach Consulting in Brentwood suggested closing the school after stating that operating costs for the school—which has the smallest enrollment with about 295 students—were higher than the other four elementary schools in the district.

When parents asked the school board about the matter at last month's meeting, board members said the topic has not been discussed among them. They said the board most likely will begin discussions after the passage of the 2011-12 budget next week.

Parents said they plan to attend a facilities committee meeting on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at O'Block Junior High School in the hopes of getting some answers.

They're going to be prepared, said parent Lisa Callaghan.

"People might think this is premature, but we're being proactive," she said. "We're going to be ready."

Betty McGeary, 67, lives across the street from the school. She said she and her neighbors—many of whom are senior citizens—are concerned about their property values and the future of the building if the school closes.

Callaghan said the enrollment at the school has been declining throughout the years, but it's because the board doesn't allow more than 25 students to register for kindergarten. The rest are sent to other schools.

Currently, there is one class each of 25 students in kindergarten and first grade. Next year, Callaghan said, there only will be one second grade classroom in the school.

Parent Beth Girasia said that's not right.

"Our numbers aren't low," she said. "They're stealing our kids."

Callaghan said Regency Park also is set to have a part-time principal next school year.

"The word that keeps shining in my head is 'extinction,'" she said. "It's like we're getting phased out slowly."

School board member Sal Colella, whose children attended the school years ago, dropped by the meeting to speak with the concerned parents. He said he agrees with their efforts and offered to help in any way he can.

"I think it's important we keep neighborhood schools," he said. "I think you've got a great school. It's imperative we keep that.

"I get very concerned about what's going to happen to the property values if the school is gone. It's about the culture, it's about the community. It's a whole host of issues that are important."

With several housing developments in the works in Plum, Colella said the district isn't in the position to get rid of a school because enrollment possibly could go up in the future.

Colella urged the group of residents to work hard and continue to advocate for their cause.

School board candidate Richard Zucco, who secured Republican and Democratic party nominations last month, also was in attendance. He said he supports the notion of neighborhood schools.

The parents are working on buying "I Love Regency Park" T-shirts and signs for people in the neighborhood to purchase.