PARMA, Ohio — Consolidation approved.
The Parma City School District Board of Education has passed a plan that would close two elementary schools and tear down a high school. But it doesn't come without mixed emotions.
The school district is staring down a $24 million deficit in Fiscal Year 2026.
That's why board members say they had to make this decision Thursday night.
It kicks off what they call a "6-3-2 plan."
The 6-3-2 plan stands for 6 elementary, 3 middle and two high schools that will remain open after Parma School District's consolidation plan was approved.
Renwood Elementary, Parma Park and Parma Senior High would be closed down, according to the plan.
Parma Senior High would be torn down, with the district wanting to build a bigger, brand new high school on that land.
Parma Park would be the new district headquarters.
All but one board member voted to approve. The board member who voted no expressed concern about tearing down the senior high school without having funding secured.
Thursday's vote brought emotion and concern from community members about the future of Parma City Schools, and the memories created at the current Parma Senior High building.
"To demolish the schools, it's pretty clear the land is just going to remain vacant for years and me myself, I'm the ideal demographic that you need to reach out to and I think this is a terrible idea. I have a finance degree," one public speaker said.
"This community and the children are the legacy of this school district, not a building, this is not the first PCSD High school and it shouldn't be the last," another public speaker with children in the district said.
It should be noted that the consolidation vote is only one piece of the district's plan to avoid a deficit.
They are also going to have to pass a levy over the next few years, something several board members pointed out has been difficult in recent previous attempts.
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