The Dunkirk City School District is set to go ahead with a student relocation plan in September after the Board of Education voted to approve it at a Tuesday meeting.

Under the plan, starting with the 2021-22 school year, kindergarten through second grade students will go to new early childhood education centers at Schools 3, 5 and 7. Third through sixth graders will go to the middle school building on Eagle Street and seventh through twelfth graders will go to the nearby high school building on Sixth Street.

“I have heard parents’ concerns and staff concerns. I have concerns,” said Board President David Damico. “It’s a heavy lift.”

Nevertheless, he continued, “Looking forward, I believe this is going to be good for our children. I know it’s not going to be easy, but I truly believe it’s what’s best for our kids.”

Board member Julie Smith said to Damico, “I love that everyone is collaborating for the children of the community — and you’re right, we have to do better.”

“We’re gonna change our comfort zone now but sometimes change is for the better,” board member Bob Bankoski said. “In my opinion, kids will come back in September and it will be all new and fresh, instead of more ‘kick the can down the road’.”

The only board member opposed to approving the plan was Claudia Szczerbacki. She stated that she was not against the moving plan itself, but that she could not commit to the September time frame to implement it.