Tagged: Birmingham City Schools

Parents and teachers are expressing concerns about plans to close seven schools and lay off 133 workers in Birmingham City Schools.

At a Monday night meeting, community members said they feared the consequences of one aspect of the plan: Consolidating some seventh- and eighth-grade students with high school students.

Stephannie Huey says she's taught at the middle school and high school level, and doesn't think the two groups will mix well. She said middle school students would be exposed to more sexual activity, drugs and cigarettes.

The Birmingham school board is planning a series of community meetings before it votes on a plan to close seven city schools.

The meetings have been scheduled for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. A state takeover of the school district's finances has resulted in a plan to save $8 million by shedding 133 jobs and closing seven schools.

Eleven other schools would be reconfigured, and a proposal for two schools to teach grades seven through 12 has already proven controversial with some school board members.