BEVERLY — The School Committee plans to vote tonight on how to consolidate the city's elementary schools.

The committee, and the public, have had two months to review Superintendent James Hayes' plan to turn McKeown into an alternative secondary school and Cove into an early childhood education center. They've had less than one week to consider Mayor Bill Scanlon's last-minute plan to turn McKeown into an alternative secondary school and keep Cove open by using money made available through the city's trash fees and recycling savings.

The changes are part of an effort to close a $2.67 million school funding deficit. Other tactics to close the deficit include laying off 61 teachers and staff and a variety of other cuts.

Closing McKeown would save the district $1.16 million; shuttering Cove would save $673,000.

Members have mixed feelings about Hayes' proposal.

Before Scanlon came up with his alternative plan, Ward 1 representative David Manzi, Ward 3 representative Jim Latter, Ward 5 representative and committee President Annemarie Cesa, and Ward 6 representative Maria Decker all supported Hayes' plan in light of no other feasible option.

Both Ward 4 representative Karen Fogarty and Ward 2 representative Paul Manzo opposed Hayes' plan.

"It may be fiscally sound, but I don't agree it's educationally sound," Fogarty said.

Manzo has consistently pushed for more information about how the plan would be implemented, and has said he doesn't feel comfortable voting for it without knowing how details like parking and lunch schedules would work.

Yet it's unclear where the School Committee stands on Scanlon's plan, or if his proposal has changed what they think about Hayes' plan.

Members haven't had a chance to talk about Scanlon's plan since he presented it at a meeting last Wednesday night. Cesa said they intend to discuss it and, depending on how the conversation goes, at some point one member will move to vote on one of the plans. If it doesn't pass, they'll vote on the other plan.

If neither passes, Cesa has said one way or another, the School Committee will make a decision.

IF YOU GO

What: School Committee meeting to vote on an elementary school consolidation plan

Where: Memorial Building

When: Tonight, 7:30

Competing plans

HAYES' PLAN

r Close McKeown and turn it into a secondary alternative school

r Close Cove and turn it into an early childhood education center

r Use the savings from closing both schools to help close a $2.67 million shortfall in next year's budget

SCANLON'S PLAN

r Close McKeown and turn it into a secondary alternative school

r Keep Cove open

r Use general fund money available through trash fees and increased recycling savings to help close a $2.67 million shortfall in next year's budget