Southgate School To Close After 43 Years

SOUTHGATE (WWJ) - After the school year ends, North Pointe Elementary in Southgate will close its doors for good after 43 years.

WWJ Newsradio 950's Pat Sweeting spoke with longtime school secretary, Robin Acheson.

"I've seen a lot of families come and go," said Acheson, who will move on to become a counselor at Southgate's Anderson High School in the fall. "I've been here with many families from the very beginning that are still attending and transferring over to Shelters Elementary or one of the other Southgate schools."

Julie Georvasilli, who has  two children at North Pointe, said efforts were made to save the school. "They did studies on safety, the school size, efficiency and things like that," Georvasilli said.  "But it didn't work."

Georvasilli said the school's location — tucked in a quiet neighborhood —  could be part of the reason for the closure. But, right across the street from her house, it was perfect for her family.

"We walk everyday," Georvasilli said. "So it's very sad."

Word got out last December that the school was going to be closing and became official in February of this year.

A sign can be seen outside the school entrance that reads: "Roadrunners: Thank You For 43 Great Years.'"

North Pointe is one of two Southgate grade schools that are closing along with a middle school.