FOX 21/27 – WFXR Roanoke/WWCW Lynchburg News, WeatherRoanoke County School leaders meet with parents over budget concerns

More than 50 parents pack the William Byrd high school library to voice their concerns about the possibility of closing five elementary schools to make up for the possible 10 million dollar budget shortfall. Joshua Beamer's children go to Mount Pleasant elementary; one of the schools on the list.

"My parents went to that school, I went to that school, and my kids go to that school. It is a good school and I don't think they ought to close it at all," says Joshua Beamer.

Sheila and Duke Logan's children also go to Mount Pleasant.

"I was pretty shocked they were thinking of closing Mount Pleasant especially since they just redid the school and added on," says Sheila Logan.

Many say they are concerned about a longer commute. Logan says she is concerned how this will impact her children in the classroom.

"If they do combine, it would get more crowded, and in a large class you don't get the education we are used to," says Logan.

School officials say the reason why Mount Pleasant and four other schools are on the list for possible closure is because they have low enrollment numbers. However, Duke Logan says he doesn't see any way they can justify closing schools.

"We can build libraries and a new recreation center with water parks but we can't keep our schools open. There is a problem there," says Duke Logan.

And it is a problem parents want fix, but not at the expense of closing their children's school.