Outraged parents turned out in force Thursday night to protest the proposed closing of Ames and Whitman elementary schools in Littleton.

"We need a comprehensive plan for these schools before taking this drastic step," said Matt Canetto, 35, parent of a kindergartner at Ames. "We need to get more creative with our solutions. Closing schools should be a last resort."

Canetto was among nearly 70 parents who signed up to speak at the Littleton Public Schools board meeting Thursday night. More than 100 people packed the room, while another 50 watched the proceedings on a large screen.

The school board voted 4-0 with one abstention to close the schools. Both elementary schools have seen decreasing enrollment over the years.

Ames has 226 students and Whitman 273.

The district is facing a shortfall of $4 million for the 2009-2010 academic year and hopes to save about $500,000 per school by moving students and finding other uses for the school facilities.

Under the plan, students from Ames would be redirected to Franklin and Peabody elementary schools, while pupils from Whitman would attend Highland, Moody or Runyon.

If approved, the closings would go into effect in next fall.

Many parents, teachers and staff members at both schools questioned the need to close the schools, especially Ames, which is ranked the fifth-best elementary school in the district.

"We're all here because we know there is something not quite right," said Keith Snyder, 32, a parent of a student at Ames.

"I want to ask a question: Did the Facility Task Force consider student achievement? I don't know how you can close Ames when teachers and the principal have made it ranked fifth. How can you reward a hardworking principal and students by closing a school?"

Others asked the board for more time for parents and staff to come up with alternatives to make the schools more viable.

"We're a creative group when we get the parents together," said Catherine McBride, 41, a mother of a student at Ames. "Give us 90 days to develop a plan to increase enrollment."

A number of parents cited programs offered at Ames that are not available at other schools or even other school districts, such as full-day kindergarten.