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City school board to vote on closing 5 schools

Posted at 6:38 AM, Jan 05, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-05 06:42:40-05
Five Baltimore City schools are on the chopping block, and their futures could be decided Tuesday evening. 
 
The school board is set to vote tonight on whether to close five underperforming schools that were recommended for closure in November. Closures would take effect at the end of this school year. 
 
Tuesday night's meeting comes after a series of public hearings were held allowing parents and families to voice their opinion. The board is scheduled to vote on the closure of Baltimore Community High, Maritime Industries Academy, Roots and Branches Charter School, Westside Elementary, and the Academy of Technology and Health Sciences.
 
Gregory Thornton, the CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools, has said these schools were recommended for closure after evaluating several factors including academic performance, attendance and how the school building is being utilized. 
 
 
Some parents and school board members have argued that these schools hold together neighborhoods that are already struggling. 
 
The vote is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at school headquarters. 
 
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