The Springfield School Board has rejected a list of cost-cutting recommendations from a citizens advisory panel, with one major exception: voting to close the Capitol College Preparatory Academy.
Students, parents and staff of CCPA argued in favor of the school, and board member Judy Johnson accused her colleagues of being "elitist" and "cold-hearted" for their vote to eliminate the school, which was aimed at putting kids who have struggled in other school environments on a college track.
But the divided board eliminated CCPA on a 4-3 vote. Other recommendations from the panel, including a proposal to close Iles Middle School and transfer those gifted students to Franklin, were rejected, also on a vote of 4-3.
