[This message was sent to the School Board]
First of all, thank you for posting the criteria the board is using to evaluate school closings. I have a few comments, which I will try to keep brief. But you all know me, so it will likely get longer than I intend. 1. Estimated class size after consolidation is listed as subjective or estimated. I believe that the board needs to come up with a firm number (to the extent that any firm number for class size is possible) before consolidating schools. Closing a school or two or more will be difficult for the community, so it is of utmost importance that the school board have very concrete figures supporting its decisions. 2. When looking at current class sizes, etc. you note that this will not include students in special programs. If students in special programs are mainstreamed into regular classrooms, it would be a more accurate estimate to include those students in the number of students in regular classrooms. IE if a child is in the MSSI program, but is mainstreamed half time into a regular 3rd grade classroom, certainly that child is a true member of that third grade class, whose needs must be met by the regular classroom teacher, just as any other student. In fact, these students are considered class members by the kids, so please include them in your count. 3. Green space: I question the use of this criteria because students in fact are confined to blacktop for their recess time. Yes, green space is wonderful, but how important is it if students aren't able to use it? 4. When looking at traffic patterns, also look at the number of controlled intersections surrounding the schools. 5. Please explain the district's use of the term "opportunity cost". According to my understanding of the term ( supplied by my resident economist), an opportunity cost is the value of the next best use of a resource (assumes that the resource is currently being used in its best use). Some of the documents put out by the district seem to include fixed costs items in that heading, which would be incorrect. 6. When looking at the cost savings of previous school closings, please look at costs incurred at the High School when the 9th graders moved over, as well as if there was dollar impact when the sixth graders moved to the middle school. I realize that it might be difficult to separate out those costs given the lack of computerized records, but it is worth considering. I realize the assumption is that consolidation saves money, but I am not convinced this is always the case. Also, look at changes in school climate at the senior high for the first several years after the move. 7. When considering the resale value of a building, please keep in mind that any change in use for a building will require zoning changes by the city. This might not be a sure thing, depending upon the buyer and new use. 8. Worth looking at, but difficult to quantify, is why parents are choosing Madison and Central. What is different about the school climate? Are the differences real or simply community perceptions? Can we look at the good things happening at Madison and Central and all buildings and find a way to implement these things at other buildings? 9. I understand some of the reasoning behind not wanting to include parental participation as a criteria for school closure. BUT do keep in mind that in fact, parental involvement may be tied directly to the size of the school, the distance between students homes and the school, and the atmosphere of the school. Parents volunteer because they feel welcome and because they care, and also, if it is convenient for them to do so. If they must also factor in travel time, or feel intimidated in a building, they are less likely to volunteer. Everyone loses in this situation. Finally, the board needs to consider if board values are in line with community values. Are administration values in line with community values? If not, please look at the reasons why there is a difference. If there are differences, this is a gap that must be bridged for the good of the school district and for the community as a whole. Thank you very much for your patience in reading this rather lenghty commentary. Terri Hyle _________________________________________________________________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com ------------- This message was sent to the School Board of Winona Area Public Schools. To send a message to the entire School Board, address it to [EMAIL PROTECTED] All messages sent to that address are viewable by the general public. A public archive of emails sent to and exchanged between school board members is available at http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
