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TURIN, N.Y. -- Parents picketed outside the South Lewis High School Tuesday and packed a public hearing in a last ditch effort to save a local elementary school.

The district has been seriously considering closing Constableville Elementary at the end of this school year. It could save the district $550,000 and help close a one million dollar budget gap. They believe it would be the best way to maintain and improve services for the 90 students who attend Constableville and the other South Lewis Schools.

Parents aren't sold on the idea and believe the consolidation will hinder students' learning, among other issues.

Parent Lydia Dittrich said, "I think it's a shame for the district to consider losing that. I totally understand that there's fiscal instability, there is everywhere, I guess what I don't understand is if they close this building and move everybody to other two existing structures and leave this one rot, how that's going to save the district money."

Board of Education President Barry Worczak said, "We want the best for our schools. And we don't want to close the building, but if we have to sacrifice a building in order to maintain the programs that we have for our students, that's what we want to do."

The board will make its final decision on the school closure next Tuesday.