Community debates over new Newhallville school

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)-- Church leaders and some Newhallville neighbors say they want a school, but they want to give their input on how the old Martin Luther king school will be used.

Dozens stood in the cold, waiting to be heard.

"What does the community get out of this school. The school will make money. The administration will make money. The union will make money. What will the community get?" said Rev. Boise Kimber from Calvary Baptist Church.

The charter school, Achievement First, is in negotiations with the city to buy this land for 1.5 million dollars.  They plan to put $35 million in renovations and move over  Amistad High.  A notice of the potential purchase hangs outside the school.

"The alder women have not gotten out  in the community to make the community aware of what's going on," said Pastor James Newman.

Achievement First says they contacted locals, the local alder women and reached out to neighbors.

"We've held three community meetings, where we've responded to questions in person and we've followed up with those presentations in writing," said Reshma Singh, Achievement First's vice president of external relations.

Newhallville mother Yvette Warren says she wants to see life again in this desolate school.

"I would like to see the school be put there and the kids be there, and people get jobs and things like that would be something good. Something positive," said Warren.