ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A decision to close schools often receives an emotional response. A plan to shut down several in Rochester raised tensions at Thursday night's school board meeting.

The board reviewed Superintendent Dr. Lesli Myers-Small's plan to close and consolidate 13 schools next year. Myers-Small said it's necessary to respond to enrollment that's declined by 8,000 in the last decade. It would also address some staffing shortages. 

The board's vice president rejected it.

"I'm so frustrated, the entire proposal, because none of it makes sense from the beginning how these schools were selected," said Vice President Beatriz LeBron during the virtual meeting. "The only thing I can think of is perhaps there are some personal vendettas against some of the administration and some of your staff..."

"That's not accurate Vice President LeBron, so I can't let you say that," Myers-Small responded.

"There's no other logical... Because at the end of the day, you and ya'll staff will leave," said LeBron. "Ya'll will leave Rochester and this community will have to suffer the consequences of these school closures and mergers."

The board will vote on the school closing plan next month.