First day of school's last year

KENMORE, N.Y. (WIVB) - Classes are now in session at Thomas Jefferson Elementary in Ken Ton. This is the last year students will walk the hallways at the historic school.

There were lots of tears, hugs and also happy faces as students at Thomas Jefferson Elementary walked into class for their last first day at the building.

“Today's a bittersweet opening,” said Principal Karen Wegst, “This is our last opening for Thomas Jefferson.”

Back in August, News 4 told you the Ken Ton school board and superintendent decided to close the school at the end of this year because of declining enrollment and rising costs.

Parents in this tight-knit Tonawanda community are heartbroken.

Parent Jennifer Kunkel said, “This is very emotional for all of us, because they all have friends here and they are all going to different schools.”

Parent Lisa Crispin said, “It’s sad, I don’t want this school to close. My step daughter came here so she was here all throughout kindergarten and Madison been here, so it’s an awesome school, it’s quaint, it’s little, everybody knows each other, it’s just so sad.”

Grandparent Micahel Ujvari said, “Both of our daughters went to school here, same scenario, closed it, reopened it, shipped children all over the place.”

Uvari's Grandchildren attend Jefferson and he wants to make sure they stay there.

“We’re going to look to set a petition to keep the school open, I have some friends with the Tonawanda council and I'm looking to speak with them shortly.” Uvari said, “There’s other schools that are worse off than this school this one is beautiful there’s other schools that are falling apart.”

The superintendent wouldn't talk to News 4, but back in August he said closing the school would give the district $2.5 million in cost savings, money that could be used to fund extra curricular activities and other programs that haven't been available.