LEWISTON — Discussions about keeping an elementary school in the downtown should be left up to the public and the School Committee, city councilors and planners said Tuesday.
The fate of the city’s downtown elementary schools was one topic councilors and Planning Board members discussed at a special workshop meeting.
The School Committee is applying for state funding to replace Martel and Longley elementary schools and the Lewiston Middle School.
School officials and members of the community have talked about possibly merging the two elementary schools.
Having schools downtown is important to some city dwellers, Ward 5 Councilor Tina O’Connell said.
“Keep in mind that some people do move downtown because of the schools,” O’Connell said. “There are people who don’t drive, and having a school in walking distance is important.”
Councilor John Butler said the city could build a school to combine the two, if the right land could be found.
Councilor Renee Bernier said the matter is best left to school officials. Mayor Larry Gilbert said he favored a public forum to discuss the matter.
“I’ve heard a lot of talk about this in the community, one way or the other,” Gilbert said. “What I’d really like is to find some way to get the public’s input on this.”
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