vision2020
Re: School Board Meeting 1-22
Joan:
The alternative school was part of the discussion last night, addressed by the
school principal. The facility issue is not part of the current budget
consideration. That is being dealt with by the Facilities Committee of the
district and is part of a long-range plan. Several times during the past year the
board, adminstration, committees, etc. have considered options for the
alternative school to find a permanent, effective, cost-efficient home. None
was a truly viable option for one reason or another, but it continues to be an
issue that is addressed.
Mike Curley
On 23 Jan 02, at 9:50, Joan Klingler wrote:
Date forwarded: Wed, 23 Jan 2002 09:48:34 -0800 (PST)
From: "Joan Klingler" <joank@moscow.com>
To: vision2020@moscow.com
Date sent: Wed, 23 Jan 2002 09:50:16 -0800
Subject: Re: School Board Meeting 1-22
Send reply to: joank@moscow.com
Priority: normal
Forwarded by: vision2020@moscow.com
And what about the alternative school? It seems that this issue is not
spoken to by the school administration unless it is raised by someone in the
audience. For the last few years it has been noted that not only have the
students outgrown the present facility but it's also important for them to have
a separate place they can call their own.
"vision2020@mosDate sent: Tue, 22 Jan 2002 22:56:00 -0800 (PST)
From: ltrwritr@moscow.com (Mark Rounds)
To: cow.com" <vision2020@moscow.com>
Subject: School Board Meeting 1-22
Dear Visionaries
Well, the administrative council made its reccomendations to the school
board tonight. The budget crisis has brought us `an exciting opportunity' to
eliminate West Park as a neighborhood school, and put in place a `Kindergarten
Center'. I would presume this means we would no longer utilize the free space
allocated by the University Of Idaho for our Kindergarten. Instead, we are
going to eviscerate a school community to put all of the Kindergartners in one
place. The school district is also apparently planning to go into the daycare
business, and use any extra space at the school for daycare. How many of the
teachers currently on the elimination list have credentials for early childhood
education?
There were several questions that remain unanswered about this proposal. Dr
Fisk assured the entire audience that `there are very good reasons this was the
best option of all those considered.' He declined to enlighten us on those
reasons, but stated that he will do so immediately before the comment session on
January 28. It couldn't be that listing those reasons tonight would give the
patrons a little more time to verify or dispute the logic, could it?
One question is exactly HOW does shipping our kids in grades 1-6 all over
town save the district money? If it was lodging the kids all withing grade
level schools, ie K-1, 2-3 and 4-6, etc, I could see the logic. I wouldn't
agree with it, but I could follow that. Have the transportation costs and
liability been figured into the equation? What about the families that cannot
attend school functions if they are held out of our area?
I am aware that walking to school, or riding a bike, gives my children some
badly-needed physical activity before they get to class. It helps them, and
helps the teacher. What accomodations can be made so my kid arrives at school
ready to learn? With an environmental and fiscally prudent focus, I see big
problems with busing a kid across town only to have the school pay for a staff
member to oversee the physical activity.
Will the school district re-draw the district lines so kids from our area
can attend the nearest school? This seems only fair. I'm not sure the folks at
Lena or Russell would like to be shoved to a school farther east to make room
for our kids.
Other than being forced to `put up with' our kids, what sacrifices are the
other 3 elementary schools making in this budget crisis? I have seen the
sacrifices proposed at the high school and Junior High, as well as in
activities. However, I saw no such list for the other 3 elementary schools.
Has it been considered how many kids living within the district will be
removed to a school of their parent's choice? If we moved into this area
because of the neighborhood school, and we did, removing that school
removes many of my ties to the public school. How many students will be
lost to other situations, and how will that affect the school financing?
Don't tell me about mitigating the damage. I would like to see a list of the
BENEFITS to the kids in grades 1-6, being removed from their neighborhood
school. With any decision like this, the benefits must be weighed against the
cost. If there are no discernible benefits, perhaps another option shoud be
considered?
I trust the teachers with whom I come in contact because they know my child. I
don't beleive the administrators do, so I cannot assume they will watch out for
him/her. How will you convince me, and the other parents, that this is in
their best interest? Under these circumstances, I will be a `tough sell.'
Speaking of these highly professinal people, when are the teachers going to be
asked for their suggestions on reducing the impact of this crisis? If I want
to know how my kid in functioning in the school, or if I want interpretation of
the latest test scores, I go to the teacher. If I want an idea of how I can
help the school, I will also return to these professionals. I am sorry, but
they are the people I know and trust in this `community'. So, why hasn't the
district asked their own employees for their ideas? Wouldn't you think those
whose jobs are on the line might come up with some pretty innovative
suggestions?
I appreciate the gravity of the current budget crisis. It is unfortunate
that the presentation tonight did nothing to reassure me that the district
is truly going to do its best for the kids at West Park. I hope the school
board can find the best alternatives for ALL of the children in this district.
I also look for signs of trust and cooperation between the board, teachers and
administrators. Until that happens, I am afraid I shall lodge my trust with the
professionals I work with on a day to day basis.
Sincerely, Susan Rounds
Joan Klingler
joank@moscow.com
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