Legacy Day Honors Freeport Elementary, Closing After Nearly 60 Years

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - A local elementary school that opened its doors nearly 60 years ago will soon shut those doors for good. The move to shutdown Freeport Elementary will save the district hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Since 1954 Freeport Elementary has educated children in South Sacramento's Meadowview area. Saturday's "Legacy Day" was filled with music, food, and games. Although, the event was bittersweet for some.

"We really wanted to have a moment to honor the history and legacy of Freeport Elementary," said Freeport Elementary Principal Amy Whitten.

Earlier this year trustees voted to close the elementary school this summer in hopes to save $442,000. As students will be transferred to nearby John Still Elementary, Sacramento Schools Superintendent Jonathan Raymond says other options are minimal.

"We don't have a lot of choices with the lack of funding in public education here in California. We've been impacted with $100 million in cuts in just the last three years," said Raymond.

Freeport Elementary is the first school in the past three years to shut down. The 18 teachers at the school will be reassigned to other schools in the area. Whitten says the money saved from closing the school will benefit others.

"That money that is saved will bring those people we need back," said Whitten.

Parents are both optimistic and saddened.

"I'm looking forward to it as a chapter closing and one opening, and John Still is a beautiful school," said Keneisha Lewis, parent.

"Obviously I'm very devastated to hear the news," said parent Yang Lee.

"I think they're all teaching us a valuable lesson about courage and change," said Raymond.

Not all students will attend John Still Elementary; some will register at other local schools.