The New Bedford School Committee approved Supt. Dr. Pia Durkin's FY16 budget proposal of $120.4 million during a public hearing Monday night but Mayor Jon Mitchell plans to reduce that amount before presenting his city budget to the City Council on Wednesday.

Mitchell plans to request only $118.8 million for the School Dept. for FY16.

Over $4 million was eliminated from the original proposal of $124.8 million through savings this fiscal year, future savings in salaries, and the closure of Kempton Elementary School.

Dozens of parents and students from the elementary school attended Monday night's meeting to voice their disapproval of the closure.

Some argued that they should have had more warning about the school closing, while others suggested that better performing schools should receive more funding than poorly performing schools such as Parker Elementary.

The budget proposes to combine the school with neighboring Rodman Elementary, resulting in a savings of $236,000.

One parent that attended Rodman doesn't think it will be large enough to house the additional students and will just result in more problems.

An informational meeting will be held Tuesday evening at Kempton at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the potential changes.

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