Mount Pleasant Elementary School will stay open for at least two more years after the Board of Education voted on July 24 to postpone the Elementary Redistricting Plan. Telegraph photo by Christopher Roberson

NASHUA – The Board of Education recently voted 6-2 to postpone its decision regarding the Elementary Redistricting Plan until the end of the 2024-2025 school year.

As a result, Mount Pleasant Elementary School, which had been in danger of closing since March, will be off the chopping block for at least two more years.

In May, Preston Smith, owner of Business Information Services, presented the board with the results of his redistricting analysis. His projections showed that enrollment would continue to decline across the district through the 2032-2033 school year. By then, Mount Pleasant would have the lowest enrollment in the district with approximately 200 students.

During the board’s July 24 meeting, Gary Hoffman of Perham Street questioned how Smith’s findings could still be accurate nearly a decade from now. Therefore, he urged the board not to accept the current redistricting plan.

“Take this Elementary Redistricting Plan behind the barn and shoot it,” said Hoffman.

June Lemen of Manchester Street said she purchased her home because of its close proximity to Mount Pleasant, adding that the school has been neglected for the past 37 years while other buildings have been improved.

“That shows that equity is not a value of this board,” she said.

Lemen also said school officials have not been open regarding the redistricting plan.

“We’ve gotten very little response from you,” she said.

Ward 3 Alderwoman Patricia Klee agreed that there has been a lack of transparency.

“Not one parent was consulted,” she said. “Talk about anxiety.”

Klee said the possibility of closing the school caused 19 teachers to leave Mount Pleasant.

“This indecision has created chaos,” she said.

Jami Thomas of Canat Street said she expects enrollment to climb as additional housing becomes available.

“Uprooting students and staff will only cause harm in the long run,” she said, adding that Mount Pleasant is a staple of the community. “This school is not just a school.”

Monica Concepcion-Deane of Tolles Street called attention to the 70 Mount Pleasant students who receive Title 1 services.

“These children stand to lose more than a free or reduced lunch,” she said.

Concepcion-Deane also said closing the school would trigger overcrowding at the elementary schools that would receive Mount Pleasant students.

“If anything, you would be creating more of a struggle,” she said.

However, board President Jennifer Bishop was confident that overcrowding would not be a problem if Mount Pleasant were to close.

“We have more than enough space in other schools to absorb those students,” she said.

In response to the discussion, board member Sharon Giglio suggested tabling the vote on the Elementary Redistricting Plan until 2025.

“For the next two years, I’d like for kids to stay in their elementary schools,” she said.

Dr. Mario Andrade, superintendent of schools, did not see any problem with waiting.

“Educationally, we would be fine with a delay,” he said.

Following the meeting, State Rep. Shelley Devine said that despite being in a difficult situation, the board still made the correct choice.

“After listening to several testimonies against redistricting and closing a much-loved school, it was clear that the board used good judgment in postponing the Elementary Redistricting Plan for the next two years and keeping Mount Pleasant open,” she said. “It was evident that the Board of Education faces a predicament when it comes to allocating and budgeting funds for the renovations that Mount Pleasant needed, which have been ignored over several years.”

Devine also urged Mount Pleasant families to stay involved as the board revises the Elementary Redistricting Plan.

“Leaving the fate of Mount Pleasant solely in the hands of the Board of Education would be a mistake,” she said. “I believe it may be time to start brainstorming and thinking outside the box. This situation demonstrates that anything is possible when people come together and support one another.”

Physical Education teacher Laura Short said she and her colleagues are not going anywhere.

“We are Mount Pleasant, we are still here and plan to be a part of the task force that Dr. Andrade is putting together moving forward with redistricting,” she said. “Mount Pleasant will not be a scapegoat for poor decisions. Last night was one small step towards educating the entire city that we are all one.”

Constructed in 1925, Mount Pleasant is in need of a $21.5 million renovation — its last renovation project was completed in 1987.

“Typically, schools are renovated every 30 years,” said Shawn Smith, director of Plant Operations. “Mount Pleasant is well in excess of that.”

Smith said some of the improvements would include replacing the roof, installing a new HVAC system, installing a stormwater retention system and insulating the building’s exterior walls.

Should the project be delayed beyond 2026, Smith said the cost would increase by five percent each year.