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NJ Town Sues Its Own Board Of Education Over Decision To Close School

By Mike DeNardo

EVESHAM Twp., NJ (CBS) -- A South Jersey town is suing its own board of education over its decision to close an elementary school.

Evesham Township Mayor Randy Brown sharply disagrees with the local school board's March decision to close F.V. Evans Elementary School in 2017.

"This decision should not have been made in a vacuum."

So Brown and the Township Council today sued the school board, seeking to block the closure and prevent kindergarten students from being transferred as soon as this fall.

Brown says the closure was never presented to the planning board.

"We're hopeful now that a judge will rule that they have to bring the long-range facilities plan to the planning board, and we can have a public meeting."

The district has said enrollment is declining and closing Evans would save $1.4 million. Brown says the district is using faulty demographic figures.

He expects enrollment will increase over the next five years, with the planned construction of 1,500 new homes and apartments.

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