Parents react to possible closure of Merrimac Elementary School in Holbrook amid budget cuts

Parents and community members in Holbrook are expressing shock and frustration following an unexpected announcement that Merrimac Elementary School could face closure due to a budget deficit within the Sachem School District.

The news came during a Sachem School Board meeting Wednesday night, leaving parents scrambling for answers. Jay Jones, president of the Merrimac Elementary PTA, described the situation as blindsiding.

"They threw this at us last night and said you have three days. Good luck," he said,

According to the district, the closure is being considered due to low enrollment and a budget shortfall estimated at up to $6.5 million. In a letter to the community, Sachem School Superintendent Patti Trombetta cited inflation and significantly reduced state funding as key contributors to the financial difficulties. However, recent state aid data reveals that Sachem is projected to receive over $1 million more in state funding for the upcoming school year.

Former Sachem School Board President Jim Kiernan expressed frustration over what he described as poor planning.

"This process should have started at the end of the last budget cycle. There should have been committees formed, there should have been all kinds of investigations done," he said.

Parents, like Merrimac mother Nicole D’Auria, are questioning the district’s decision-making process.

“I think that’s weird they jumped just to that. There’s other things they can cut,” D’Auria said.

School officials argue that closing a school would save the district about $2 million annually and could bring in an additional $600,000 by renting out the building. However, the superintendent emphasized that no decisions would be made until the final budget is approved.

Watch the board of education meeting in the video below: