Queensborough parents’ hopes of meeting with district leaders dashed by cancellation

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—Parents’ hopes of meeting with Caddo Parish district leadership to discuss alternatives or express community need for one of three schools that, if approved, will close at the end of the current school year did not go as planned.

Parents and community activists were left outside on the sidewalk of Queensborough Elementary School. The Queensborough Neighborhood Association had organized a meeting inside the school; parents expected to hear from Caddo Parish Schools Superintendent Keith Burton. None of that happened.

Community Activist Omari Ho-Sang said, “One of the community organizers received a phone call earlier today this morning telling them to cancel the meeting, that it didn’t follow certain protocols.”

A handful of parents came to the meeting and discussed the issue on the sidewalk outside the school.

One parent told us her son is doing great at school. He is on the honor roll and thriving. She wants to see the school stay open and plans to attend the next school board meeting. Ameshia Hall described a range of emotions she felt when she heard the school could close by saying, “I was hurt first. Then I felt so destroyed. Then the frustration came. ”

Another parent said she will have to find transportation if the school closes, because she walks her there now, only two blocks from her home.

The school board says those students will go to J.S. Clark if they vote to close the school.

The Caddo Parish School Board will vote on April 15th at 4:30 p.m. at its headquarters, 1961 Midway Ave. in Shreveport.