School board had no choice but to close the PLC

I want to say that I understand what the Board of Education is trying to do. I understand the necessity of closing the Primary Learning Center and Laurelton School.

What the current opponents don't remember is when the PLC first opened, because of the increased enrollment at the time, parents were picketing because they did not want their children leaving their neighborhood schools.

This school was opened for a reason, and that reason has now changed. Enrollment is down and Brick is just about completely built out. Parents of that age group of children argue that all their friends have kids kindergarten age and they are all having babies, but what they don't understand is that those are their group of friends. The truth is, is that there are close to 80,000 other residents in this town and every year the district loses 400-600 students through graduation.

I spoke toMr. Panucci fromthe school board after the last Board of Education meeting, I believe himto be sincere when he said he wishes it didn't have to close. The guy used to be a teacher and I think it is definitely a last resort when someone who's spent their entire life in education says it's necessary to close a school.

When the state handicaps us with funds and enrollment is down, just like any government entity and business, we have to tighten our belts and re-examine ourselves. It's not being cruel, it's called being fiscally responsible and I respect that.

With the sale of Laurelton, those students can go to the newer PLC facility while the rest of the PLC building can be used for other purposes. This way Brick saves on utility and transportation costs because the kindergarteners will be in their neighborhood schools. Should the need one day arise for another building to house extra students, then we have it. I get it, I wish it weren't so, but I get it.

John Ciocco

Brick