The North Vancouver School Board voted to close a third elementary school on Tuesday night to address a massive budget shortfall and declining enrolment.
Fromme Elmentary School will close by the end of June, the board decided.
"It's heart-wrenching to even contemplate closing a school, but we're looking at it because it's one of those realities that we're facing," trustee Barry Forward said.
Parents and supporters came out to protest the decision, holding "Save Fromme" signs and wearing green, one the school's official colours. After the decision, some shed tears while others stood in disbelief.
"A jewel in our system, and they've tossed it away," Fromme parent Heather Skuse said.
Last week, members voted to close two other schools in the district. Plymouth Elementary School will close by the end of June, and Blueridge by 2013.
School enrolment has declined by almost 18 per cent in the North Vancouver in the last eight years, and there are 2,400 empty student spaces in district schools.
According to the board's budget proposal, it will save about $400,000 for each school it closes.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Maria Weisgarber
