Students And Staff Fight Proposed School Closure

East Hartford says it needs to close the Synergy School to save money.

Students and staff at Synergy Alternative High School in East Hartford are fighting the school board’s plan to close the school at the end of the year.

Former student K.C. Cruz, who graduated from Synergy in 2009, said he was devastated when he heard the news.

"When I walked into this school, I didn't even like school. This is like a second family,” Cruz said.

"It's like a big family here, so it's very upsetting,” said Synergy Senior Ta-Neesha Cauley.

The East Hartford school district is facing a $7 million shortfall and the school board is looking for ways to save money.

“We had to come up with a responsible budget and closing Synergy was one of the decisions that was made,” School Board Chairman Jeffrey Currey said.

Under the school board’s proposal, current Synergy students would either go to East Hartford High School or another alternative school, Woodland.

Former and current students have started a “Save Synergy” Facebook page and an online petition.

"The same help I got, others should have the opportunity to have the same exact help,” Synergy graduate Betsy Valentin said.

Synergy teacher Dave Bocchichio said he knows closing the building would save cash, but he’s asking the school board not to shut down the Synergy program.

"They can stick us in the closet at the high school. As long as it’s our staff with these students and we get to do the things that we do and have our family, then we're happy and they're happy,” Bocchichio said.

"The building is just a building. What really makes the school special is our approach, the family style of learning, the staff and just the love that comes from these halls,” Synergy Behavior Manager Nate Allison said.

Those against the proposed closure plan to speak out at the East Hartford Board of Education meeting Tuesday night.

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