BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – In a unanimous decision on Tuesday night, the Brevard Public Schools Board opted to shut down Cape View Elementary School, the sole public school available in Cape Canaveral, due to a steady decrease in student numbers over recent years.

The board members acknowledged the difficulty of their choice, which followed heartfelt appeals from parents urging them to reconsider. Despite the emotional testimonies, the board concluded that keeping the school open is not financially viable.

“No one ever wants to close a school,” remarked Board Chair Matt Susin during the meeting. “This decision weighs heavily on us. Anyone who thinks otherwise is mistaken.”

District representatives highlighted that Cape View has been functioning at less than half its capacity, attributing this to an aging local demographic and an increase in short-term rental properties. The school has experienced a gradual decline in enrollment over the last ten years.

Parents voiced their worries about the impact of the closure on their children, especially those who find adapting to change challenging.

“It’s the heart and soul of Cape Canaveral,” shared Cassidy Walthour, whose son is in the fourth grade there. “I’m concerned about how my son will handle the transition because he doesn’t cope well with change.”

Nearly 300 students currently enrolled at Cape View will be reassigned to Roosevelt Elementary School, located about seven miles away.

Board member Megan Wright said the district is spending nearly twice as much per student at Cape View compared to other elementary schools, calling it an inequitable use of resources.

“When we are looking at spending two times as much on students in one school than we are in another school, that’s not fair to other students,” Wright said.

Some parents acknowledged the finality of the decision, but said they were proud of the community’s efforts to save the school.

“This decision they just made was final, and once you close a school, you can’t bring it back,” said parent Katie Lattig. “We are so sad they are going to take a major pillar out of the community. It’s devastating.”

Cape View Elementary will close at the end of the current school year. District officials have not yet announced future plans for the school property.