Residents react to closure of Washington Elementary School

WASHINGTON, La. (KLFY) — Parents, grandparents and even nutrition managers at Washington Elementary were not happy after the School Board announced the doors of the school would be closing in order to make the building a Career and Technical Education Center.

“They have no right to even do what they’re doing,” said a Washington resident.

Those reactions are still felt today as some residents said the school board was making a mistake by taking opportunity away from a school that has shown big improvements in recent years.

Town Council member for District four, Mary Lavergne, said she was hurt by the boards decision as many parents were left in the dark regarding any information on the school and may struggle with transportation.

“It’s been a top earning school two years in a row, and it will rank number seven most improved school in the state,” she said. “I saw my teachers cry, I felt so bad. Those Washington Elementary teachers. The two principals, Mr. Sylvester and Miss Laverne, put in the work. All those beautiful teachers that we got paraprofessionals, cooks, janitors. I feel sorry for them.”

As the community reflects on the board’s decision, Lavergne said the fight to keep the school open may not be over.

“I want to thank the board members that stood up for us. In the past year, they have really stood up for us. And even the ones that didn’t vote for us. I know I don’t have no ill feelings or hard feelings against them, but it’s more things we’re doing as a community. We’re not letting this go,” she said.

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