About 200 parents packed a public meeting last night over a decision to move their children out of the overcrowded Esther Starkman School.

Some of the families being forced to move schools live so close to Esther Starkman that their homes actually back onto the grounds.

"The people responsible for making this decision have failed our children, they have failed our community and above all have received a failing grade for their math skills," parent Olga Klimko told administrators.

Earlier this week parents learned the school will no longer offer classes to Grade 8 and 9 students in September. Grade 7 classes will also be reduced.

Affected students will be forced to move to schools such as D.S. Mackenzie, Riverbend and Avalon Schools, up to 10 kilometres away.

While many parents deplored the lack of planning in the southwest, they were told little else can be done in the meantime.

Public school trustee Katherine Ripley said she's hoping for some relief in today's provincial budget.

"We sincerely hope that we will hear an announcement about new schools for the southwest because the long-term solution is to build another K-9 school in the Terwillegar area."

A second open house is being held tonight at nearby Johnny Bright School where students are also being displaced.