Despite a flurry of protests, Edmonton Public School Board trustees voted to close five schools at the end of this school year.

A 6 p.m. meeting Tuesday stretched on until the 1 a.m. with public school trustees voting to shut down Eastwood, McCauley, Parkdale, Capilano and Fulton Place Schools.  Trustees also voted in favour of discontinuing the elementary school program at Spruce Avenue School.

But before a conclusion came to be, the discussion turned into a lengthy debate among some trustees.

"I think we are delivering, frankly, a punishing blow to community, viability, student and parent well-being," said school board trustee David Colburn.

More than 150 parents and community leaders sat and watched the proceedings from start to finish.  Many being given the opportunity to speak one last time against the closure of their neighbourhood school.

The decisions will mean that approximately 1,000 students will be starting at a new school this September.

"Today is a very sad day and I feel that the six trustees didn't listen to the parents at all," said parent Jane Glasel.

The Public School Board had held several public meetings last month, hearing input from parents, residents and community groups about the future of the facilities.

On Feb. 5th, school board trustees received recommendations to close the schools citing low enrollment numbers as the cause.

"There's a certain drain on resources that small schools make that larger resources don't", said Don Fleming, chair of the Edmonton Public School Board.

The education minister says he stands behind the board's decision.

"Edmonton Public School Board has undergone a thoughtful process and I'm not going to second guess that process," said Education Minister Dave Hancock.

Edmonton Public says as soon as the decisions are announced, it will look at the future of another 70 schools trying to reconcile what it calls 30,000 extra student spaces.

Board trustees say schools can apply to reopen as long as there's proof of strong enrolment and the board retains ownership of the building.

With files from Jessica Earle