WESTBROOK – The Westbrook School Committee made the closing of Prides Corner Elementary School official last week, voting 6-1 during its meeting on March 14 to shutter the 60-year-old school and reconfigure the three remaining elementary schools.

“It’s always felt like home, and I hope I’ve maintained that warmth,” School Principal Janet Crawford told the committee following its vote.

The closure comes after a lengthy series of presentations, both to the committee and in public forums, by School Superintendent Marc Gousse and members of the district’s central office staff.

In the presentations, the district’s argument was that keeping the school open would cost millions of dollars, both up front and in the long term, in repair and renovation costs. By contrast, closing it would save the district in operating costs, and also allow for the reconfiguration of the district’s three remaining elementary schools, Saccarappa, Canal, and Congin, to teach kindergarten through Grade 4. Fifth graders under the new plan will attend Westbrook Middle School.

Last week’s vote was the second and final one confirming the school’s closure. The process, school officials said, now turns to transition to a new, reconfigured elementary school system. Gousse said this week that he is hoping, after soliciting more input from the public, to present a transition plan to the School Committee for approval in April.

“We’re only going to get one opportunity to do this, and we’re going to do it well,” he said.

Committee member James Violette cast the only dissenting vote. He said he did not feel a number of details regarding the consolidation, such as busing issues and start times, had been worked out. He called the vote “putting the cart before the horse.” Despite his objections, he said, he ultimately supported the concept of closing the school.

“I feel it’s going to be the right thing to do,” he said.

Crawford said the school will plan some special events to finish off its final year, including producing a documentary featuring old photos of the school.

“We plan to put a fun spin on the end of the school year, go out with a bang,” she said.

Crawford asked anyone who wants to submit photos to the end-of-year project to contact her at the school.