'We Feel Hopeful' Special Needs School Will Stay Open, Now the Fight For Funding Repairs is in Full-Force

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Guilford County Schools will hold their School Board Meeting Tuesday to discuss its budget proposal. 

Parents and supporters of Gateway Education Center will be there in full-force to ask, and beg that it include repairing Gateway.

RELATED: Guilford County Annual 'State of the County Address' Turns Into Fight To Save Gateway Education Center

Based on an inspection, Gateway would need more than $2 millions dollars worth of repairs to its roof, windows, plumbing and other miscellaneous needs. 

The meeting starts at 6 p.m., Gateway parents plan to be there armed with signs and their voices. 

"My daughter is not able to talk she doesn’t have a voice therefore I’m being her voice, and always will be," Mom Stephanie Garrett said.

RELATED: Former Gateway Education Center Teacher Concerned For Students Due To Possible School Closing

The fight really isn't about keeping the school open anymore, despite the original letters and phone calls from Gateway saying it was shutting down for mold, and other safety concerns.

RELATED: Guilford County Schools Recommends Special Needs Students Relocate, Parents React: 'We've All Been Screaming Answer Our Questions'

The school isn't shutting down.

That's been decided.

Superintendent Dr. Contreras said it'll stay open despite her recommendation otherwise because parents don't want their disabled children going to other schools that are further away.

RELATED: Guilford County Superintendent Says Gateway Education Center Will Stay Open Despite Poor Conditions, Recommends Hampton Elementary Close

The fight now is to fix the school.

"I hope that the board will consider our plea," Garrett said. "If your house has a problem you don’t walk away from your house, you fix it, and gateway is our home away from home."

Garrett said parents feel hopeful that they'll receive the money they need to fix Gateway. 

“The fight is about what this building stands for as well as where that building stands, and we’re asking for gateway to be repaired so it remains a safe haven for our children for many years to come.”

Tuesday's meeting is critical according to Gateway Education Center's PTA President Dania Ermentrout. She said it is a 'voting meeting, so decisions will be made.'

Board Members must finalize their budget proposal Tuesday, with or without Gateway included.

Then, on May 16th, county commissioners will look at the entire budget proposal to determine how much to give the district.