MIDDLETOWN, Conn. -- Middletown's Board of Education said that it may have no choice but to close a city school if the mayor's proposed budget is approved by the City Council on Tuesday night.

Commodore Macdonough was built 84 years ago when schools were small and parents walked their children to class and picked them up in the afternoon.

While much has changed since then, parents told Eyewitness News that the elementary school is just what their children need.

"I feel a lot more comfortable driving my son to school and picking him up, knowing he's in my care rather than getting on a school bus," said parent Tina Hill.

Hill said that being able to send her first-grade son, RJ, to school just a half-mile away is a benefit, and that she believes the small size gives him a better chance for success.

Middletown school officials said that the days of small, neighborhood schools may be over. They said it costs $1 million to educate the 225 to 250 students at the school each year.

With a tight budget, school officials said it may be time to retire the school.

"My son loves this school so he's really, really upset. This morning he said to me, 'Mom, I don't want them to shut down the school.' I said, 'RJ, parents can protest, but with the budget deficit, I don't know how well we can do,'" Hill said.

James Anthony told Eyewitness News that he lives next door to the school and said if it were closed, it would be devastating for the community.

"It would be a terrible, horrible sight," he said. "It won't be the same for the young kids."

The Common Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

The Board of Education plans to meet next week to discuss its options. If the school remains open, school officials said extracurricular activities or layoff staff members.