Towns Supporters: "We Are Not A Community Of Losers"

A week of pent-up frustration erupted Thursday night at , as angry parents vented their anger at an .

"I'm having trouble holding down my lunch after listening to all of the garbage being regurgitated by the APS this past week," said PTA President Felicia Rander. "We are not a community of losers.

"You have not heard the last of Towns Elementary. Every phone call you get will be from us. Every e-mail you get will be from us. We are going to be at your doorstep."

This past weekend, APS Superintendent Dr. Erroll Davis placed Towns on a list of 10 recommended school closures. In Davis' previous recommendation, was slated for closure.

APS Associate Superintendent Steve Smith reminded the audience of about 150 people that Towns was on a list for closure in several of Davis' initial recommendations, issued this past December and January.

"We understand and appreciate the fact that some parents feel like they've been blindsided by this recommendation," Smith said. "But we need to consolidate our resources so we can provide a more solid educational experience for all of our students."

Smith said while Fain was most recently slated for closure, the APS changed its recommendations after meeting with Fain parents, students and supporters. But APS staff did not offer any specific reasons why , adding that Davis has not made a final recommendation regarding redistricting or school closings to the board of education.

The APS board of education is expected vote on Davis' recommendations during  a special meeting scheduled for April 10 at . If passed, most of Towns' students will attend Adamsville/Miles, Fain and Scott elementary schools.

"You live in your ivory towers, and your children don't have to be faced with attending three schools," said Rev. Kenneth Walker, a local pastor, who also criticized the timing of the decision, which came as the entire system was on spring break.

"With all of your degrees and education, the APS must be smarter than this last decision you've made," said Towns alumni Shirley Williams. "It seems to me you should be building communities up, not tearing them down."