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Mother: I just received letter about pre-K Summer Hill school switch

Posted at 6:36 PM, Aug 19, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-19 18:47:26-04

RICHMOND, Va. -- Parents are weighing in on Richmond Public Schools' decision to relocate pre-Kindergarten students to a school that was shuttered in 2014 because of overcrowding.

Mary Gresham was baffled when she saw reports about the sudden move for pre-K students to the old Summer Hill building in Richmond.

"I said, 'What is happening?" said Gresham. "I understand the overcrowding in Southside, but why Summer Hill?"

Gresham reached out to WTVR CBS 6 after she received a letter in the mail Friday informing her that her daughter would be attending Summer Hill for pre-K for the upcoming school year.

Her daughter was registered to attend pre-K at Francis Elementary School.

"I just can't understand the process," said Gresham. "How as a parent was I not even included in the decision making for hundreds of children's four year olds?"

School leaders said the decision was quickly made due to overcrowding in Richmond's Southside.

Assistant Superintendent Tommy Kranz provided WTVR CBS 6 a tour on Thursday of the building and said while it is going be challenging they will have everything ready for the first day of school.

"I've secured daycare, I've secured for her to be dropped off and picked up and all of that may be effected because of overcrowding. Overcrowding didn't start today," said Gresham.

RPS offices were closed Friday, but School Board Chair Jeff Bourne and Vice Chair Don Coleman both said they understood the concerns with the community.

Bourne said they are working to make the best out of a tough situation.

Additionally, leaders are also looking at the possibility of organizing a community meeting for parents.

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