"In these tough economic
times, I think we have to make hard decisions and look at where we can
save money," Roche said at the Oct. 22 Board of Aldermen meeting.
"We've got to move forward with the facts and know what we're dealing
with."

Roche submitted an order asking Superintendent Anthony
Pierantozzi for an update, pointing out that the building has no
auditorium or cafeteria and is not accessible to persons with
disabilities.

"We can't be cutting services and laying people off when we have a school building that possibly shouldn't be there," he added.

Ward
6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz was quick to defend the school as the most
cost-effective in the city and a "hub" for the surrounding community.

"I
don't think we should be targeting individual schools," Gewirtz said.
"I frankly don't think it's the role of the Board of Alderman."

Alderman-at-Large Bruce Desmond, Dennis Sullivan and Bill White joined Gewirtz in voting against the order, which passed 7-4. (in error, we reported Dennis Sullivan voted in favor of the order)

"I
knew this wasn't going to be a popular resolution — I didn't expect it
to be," Roche said, adding that he wouldn't mind if other members
wanted to look at schools in Ward 1. "I think people shouldn't be
afraid of the study, and let the results be what they are."

Before
the vote, Ward 4 Alderman Walter Pero urged Brown School parents to
keep their kids out of the debate. As the board's School Committee
representative, he said he was frustrated that parents put their
children in front of the committee to lobby against cutting the sixth
grade from the school earlier this year.

"It changes the analysis from being objective," Pero said. "As adults, it makes it really difficult to say no to the kids."

"I'm sure (the parents) will be forming their lobbying plans tomorrow," he added.

The
meeting was barely over before Brown School parent Paula Woolley sent
an e-mail to other parents warning that the possibility of the Brown
School closing was back on the table. Woolley told the parents to wait
until the Nov. 4 School Committee meeting before worrying too much
about Roche's request, however.

Woolley added later she hopes the board will trust the judgment of the school system and the School Committee.

"Every
year that there's a budget crisis, (the School Committee members)
really have been thoughtful with what they've been doing," she said.
"I'm not becoming alarmed by this news because I feel they made it
clear they didn't want to cut educational programs. I think the BOA
needs to respect that they have a job to do and they do it well."