PORTSMOUTH — Some parents aren't happy about the school superintendent's decision to close schools Friday because of President Barack Obama's planned visit to Strawbery Banke.

The President will be joined by Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, as well as the first lady, Michelle Obama.

In an email sent to parents, Superintendent Ed McDonough said because roads in and around the waterfront history museum will be effectively closed by the President's 12:20 p.m. appearance, the decision was made to close schools. Students will make up the day on May 24, 2013, originally scheduled as a teacher workshop day.

“I'm not impressed. Because it really throws a wrench into the works and parents' schedules,” Tammy Sullivan, a parent of a middle school student and a high school student, said Wednesday.

Sullivan works at a downtown bank and said additionally, customers are concerned they will not be able to do their banking Friday as a result of the downtown disruptions.

“They (the campaigns) could have picked a better place, out at Pease maybe, where not so many people would be affected,” Sullivan said.

The visit also became a topic of discussion at Tuesday night's city council meeting, when councilors voted 5-4 to bill any presidential campaign that visits between now and Nov. 6 for overtime expenses incurred by the city.

In the letter to parents Tuesday, McDonough said the Portsmouth Police Department, in coordination with Secret Service, had recommended the school department dismiss three of the city's public schools at 11 a.m.

But in order to dismiss both secondary and elementary schools, the district would have to conduct two separate bus runs. Given the volume of traffic expected Friday, McDonough said the school department is better served by closing all schools.

A secretary in McDonough's office said Wednesday that he would not make further comment on the subject; a message left for him was not returned.

Michelle Long has a son in preschool at Dondero Elementary. She said she is not too concerned about the cancellation.

“My son is only in preschool, so I don't feel he is missing out on big chunks of learning,” Long said. “I was kind of hoping to have the full morning to myself, but I feel like we live in New Hampshire and we are lucky to have opportunities like this.”

Parent Frank Hansler said he thinks the presidential visit itself offers an opportunity for learning.

“I think it's wonderful. The educational value of our political system is on the front stage for our students to see. I hope a lot of them go,” he said.

Hansler has one student in high school and an older daughter who waited in a long line Tuesday to get a ticket to Friday's event.

Staggered street closures begin around Strawbery Banke Thursday. All of Washington Street will be closed as of 8 a.m. Thursday; Court Street from Pleasant to Atkinson will be closed starting at 6 p.m. Thursday. Marcy Street will be closed on Friday at 8 a.m., as well as Atkinson Street from State to Court streets, Hancock Street and Gates Street. Mechanic Street and Pierce Island will be closed as of 6 a.m. Friday.

No parking will be permitted on Washington Street starting Thursday at 8 a.m., Hancock Street starting Friday at 6 a.m., Marcy Street starting at 6 a.m. on Friday, State Street from Penhallow to Marcy starting Friday at 8 a.m., and Atkinson, South Street, Mechanic Street from Marcy to Pierce Island and Pleasant Street from Junkins Avenue to New Castle Avenue starting at 8 a.m. Friday.

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Gretyl Macalaster may be reached at gmacalaster@newstote.com.