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Parents plan demonstration at Norrell Elementary as school opens

Posted at 11:59 PM, Sep 09, 2012
and last updated 2012-09-09 23:59:20-04

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR)—A demonstration has been organized for the opening at Norrell Elementary School.

The school built on an old city landfill, closed in 2006 because of environmental concerns.

The School District’s administration has recommended that the plan to re-open the school continue, and has emphasized that there is no danger.

“This school is very safe,” Andy Hawkins, Chief Operating Officer for Richmond Schools told CBS 6.

“We’ve been testing for about six weeks, we’ve done tests twice a week for the last six weeks and found nothing,” Hawkins added.

Still school board members and the community are worried.

Parents for Life 2012 believe that “the health and welfare of the city’s children should be the primary concern of the Richmond City School Board.”

In a released statement to CBS 6, they said “We are committed to remain vigilant in our demand for an excellent learning environment for our most vulnerable 3 & 4 year old preschoolers as well.”

“We will remind everyone that we believe this school board has failed in their duty to our children.”

The group plans to hold what they call a vigil during school hours on Monday.

The group said that “While we wish to express our outrage at the school board’s decision, we do not want to frighten the children nor do we want to interrupt nor interfere with the normal operation of the school.”

Attendees have been asked to be respectful of students and staff, and emphasized that this is a quiet vigil to be held on the sidewalks.

Representatives of Parents For Life 2012 will be present in shifts starting at 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Sept 10.