'Our families walk their students to school'
by Karen Wilkinson, published on February 13, 2013 at 4:40 PM
While Washington Elementary School is the smallest school in the district, you wouldn't know it by the amount of impassioned community members that spoke up Wednesday night to oppose a plan to shut its doors.
Hundreds of parents, teachers, students and education supporters criticized the Sacramento City Unified School District's plan, calling it unfair and a direct blow to a school that's primarily comprised of low-income, minority students. Tears were shed by several students and parents, who say many parents don't have cars and would be hard hit if their children have to go out of the area.
"You can't put a price tag on fracturing communities like this move would do," said Pennie Taylor, a parent and retired school teacher. She said she's very concerned about the closure list and how closed schools will be used in the future.
"It's just opening up our district to privatization through charter school