Parents Meet With Officials Again Over Kempton School Closing

Things got heated during another meeting between parents and New Bedford school officials at Kempton School Tuesday evening.

Parents voiced their frustrations about the elementary school closing and students being moved to Rodman School.

Transportation issues to Rodman were a major concern. Rodman School, located on Mill St., is over a mile walk for many of the elementary students, which parents say is unacceptable.

Joe Cardoso, parent of a 2nd grader at Kempton, says closing schools should never be an option for the city and Superintendent Pia Durkin.

"What happens next year when [Durkin] comes up with another plan and wants to cut more stuff? Now, is [it] going to get shut down at Rodman?," Cardoso said.

Other parents, including Heidi Sanders, expressed a want to save the school. Sanders urged parents to call city counselors and demand the school budget be increased in order to save Kempton.

Durkin took the brunt of parent anger during the meeting, but says she understands their frustrations.

"It really shows this community deeply cares about it's children, and we all want the same thing. We want the best opportunities for our child, as well as making sure they get what they need."

Durkin originally requested a 2016 school budget of $125 Million, but later trimmed it to $120.4 Million.

Mayor Jon Mitchel made further cuts to the school budget, and will present a $118.8 Million budget to the City Council Wednesday night.

The Council will then vote on the budget on June 18.