Local

Community leaders sue Brevard School District over closures

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Religious and community leaders in Brevard County are explaining why they're now suing the school district over the three school closures.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of parents and guardians of South Lake students, but it asks for an injunction to prevent the closures of Clearlake Middle and Gardendale and South Lake elementary schools.

Local leaders insist the district's decision unfairly targets minority and low-income students, and their lawsuit is asking for an injunction. Organizers said once the schools are closed, it will be too late to make a difference.

The school district voted to close the schools in an effort to cover a projected $30 million budget shortfall.

Some of the data provided by the district on Monday shows only one school on the list of closures has a majority minority enrollment, according to Channel 9's Melonie Holt.

That school is South Lake.

On Monday, an attorney said the school board left them with little choice.

The school board did take one school off the chopping block, Sea Park Elementary School, where minority enrollment is about 13 percent.