Lobbying to save schools begins
November 12, 2008 – 11:26PM
SUE McMILLIN
THE GAZETTE
The lobbying to keep schools open in Colorado Springs School District 11 has begun.
A couple dozen parents of Buena Vista Elementary School students shot their hands in the air at a board meeting Wednesday when another parent asked for a show of support for the school that was recommended for closure by a consultant.
Nine middle school principals gave the board a position paper, urging it to consider the achievements their schools had made and suggesting their schools could take students from Emerson-Edison Junior Charter Academy, which is under a state-mandated restructuring order because of low achievement.
Parents from Russell Middle School, which isn’t specifically mentioned for any change in the consultant’s report, lauded their school and asked the board to let it grow and flourish with a true arts magnet program.
And board President Tami Hasling mentioned at the meeting that board members have been hearing from district parents and others through e-mails, letters and calls.
“We are still in the preliminary stage,” she said, adding that the board would look at how it uses its buildings with diligence to ensure that it does right by its students.
Wednesday’s board meeting was the first opportunity for the public to speak since the consultant released a school utilization study a week ago.
It recommended closing four elementary schools, putting kindergarten-eighth-grade programs in two middle schools and one elementary school and making other program realignments. Late Wednesday, the board was considering a timetable for how to proceed in considering the report and administration recommendations that are to follow.
The board also learned Wednesday that New York-based Edison Learning does not intend to seek renewal of the charter for Emerson-Edison. Despite that, the district is required to submit a plan to the state for restructuring the failed school in early January - a timeline that conflicts with the district’s plans for creating a plan for all of its schools.
It is likely that it would be at least early February before the board would take action on any recommendations from the consultant or the administration in regard to school consolidations, closures or moving programs.
But six parents of Buena Vista students weren’t waiting for final recommendations.
Backed by more parents and teachers in the audience, they told the board that the unique Montessori program at the school was helping children flourish and should not be disrupted. The program is in its fourth year.
Karl Spiecker said he lives in Cheyenne Mountain School District 12 but drives his three children to Buena Vista because of the Montessori program.
“We found what we think is the best school for us,” he said. “I hope you will remember that not all schools are created equal. The program is not replicated anywhere else.”
Parent Kristen Downs said it is one of the few schools that has closed the achievement gap between student groups. She said she believes the program could attract young families to the neighborhood so their children can attend school there.
Several parents asked the board to give the school, which has had three principals in four years, time to get the word out about the exceptional program.
Several board members emphasized that “no decisions have been made.”
