To the editor:

I can’t imagine what the school board or its captive subcommittees are thinking when they consider closing schools such as Hillcrest, Sunset Hill and Pinckney — especially after the recent revelations that these schools are in neighborhoods that are slated to have increased numbers of schoolchildren.

Are the elementary schools to the west (Langston Hughes, Quail Run) the only ones deserving of respect by our elected and selected representatives?

A few reasons that Hillcrest, Sunset Hill and Pinckney should NOT be closed:

• These schools are in neighborhoods that will soon be home to increasing numbers of school-age children.

• If either Hillcrest or Sunset Hill closes, young children will be forced to cross busy Iowa Street to get to school.

• Hillcrest is adjacent to Ryan Gray Park, a fairly new park which accommodates all children,  including  those with physical handicaps.

• Pinckney is a solid two-story building that has recently had major additions at great expense.

• Pinckney has a tunnel underneath Sixth Street that allows children who live south of the school to get to school safely;

• Pinckney has historic significance as it was once attended by Langston Hughes.

Will it take a vehicle hitting a young child on Iowa Street to bring the school board to its senses? Does the school board ignore all demographic projections? Does the school board not care about the safety of students?  Does the school board not care about wasting taxpayer funds that paid for recent school updates?

THINK, people!