Parents protest school closure

CENTER CITY - February 7, 2009 On Tuesday, Governor Ed Rendell sent out letters to parents threatening to close Scotland School for Veterans Children saying the state could no longer afford to spend $10.5-million a year to keep the boarding school open.

70-percent of Scotland's 288 students are from Philadelphia.

Many have never attended public schools or even ridden a public bus to get there.

Angel Mills, an Army vet and alumni, says Rendell should consider the cost of not having productive citizens like Scotland students living in Pennsylvania.

"Scotland produces people who are good, who have moral values, who have integrity, and who are very productive and contribute back to the community and society," Mills said.

Originally opened in 1895 for the children of war orphans, Scotland, which is 3 hours from Philadelphia, is now open to children of vets and their relatives.

All vow to keep the school open.

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