4 Schools group member not swayed
By LYDIA COTTRELL lcottrell@timesobserver.comThe information provide by DeJong at the community dialogue session on Tuesday has not swayed the opinion of 4 Schools 4 Warren County member and Sugar Grove resident Elizabeth Reynolds.
The positives of the two-school configuration denoted by DeJong are not winning over the northern attendance area resident.
"I guess if you are talking about the course offering, I feel that no situation is perfect," Reynolds said on Thursday.
She believes that no matter how many courses are offered, there will always be scheduling conflicts resulting in disappointed children.
"I don't think either is perfect," she said of the configurations in terms of course offerings.
Despite the positives and negatives derived by DeJong regarding education at the schools, Reynolds has an if-it's-not-broken-don't-fix-it attitude
"Right now I feel the kids are getting what they need," she said. "I don't see our situation right now as negative."
To support her beliefs, Reynolds pointed the exemplary PSSA scores in the northern attendance area schools.
Although, she admitted that she has heard of problems with students getting the Advanced Placement courses they want, Reynolds believes the special education students are getting the support they need.
One aspect of the debate that Reynolds feels is not being discussed enough is transportation and the effect a configuration of two high schools would have on bus time.
"You go to transportation times and I think that outweigh all of it," she said.
Reynolds' last point to show her support of four school is not measure by the consultant.
"You have to factor in what happens to these communities when you make these decision," she said. "I don't feel that is weighted."
When 4 Schools 4 Warren County member David Bauer was asked to comment on the information on Thursday, he said he was not a spokesperson for the group. He also indicated that the 4 Schools 4 Warren County group doesn't have a designated spokesperson.
"I think what's important is the 300 people who showed up to (the community dialogue session)," he said.
Facebook
MySpace
Digg
Stumble
Mixx
Fark
del.icio.us
LiveSpaces
|
fivealive
|
|
|---|---|
|
11-15-09 10:29 AM
|
I think that totheright's point is that the 4Schools folks have said they don't need the "city", they don't want the "city" involved in their schools/decisions, they are going to secede, etc. There is a touch of hypocrisy in then doing Tag Days in Warren. Maybe the fact that county folks all shop at WalMart in Warren is a good example of how intertwined the county really is. You can say you are from the "city" or that you have Ike pride but, in reality, one can't function without the other.
|
|
fivealive
|
|
|
11-15-09 10:23 AM
|
Tealdahlia, all the concerns are about the students. The biggest concern, of course, is for the educational quality now and for the long-term. Where do you get the 100 minute bus ride figure from? The district hasn't done the new transpo plan, new attendance lines haven't been drawn, etc. The district will add new buses before a child rides nearly two hours. The district is large geographically but it is not impossible. Look at truly large districts in WY, KS, etc. Kids get to school everyday and live to tell about it. Classes of ten or so are not the best learning environment, if you read studies. For some advanced college classes, yes. For HS classes not as good as around 20. On top of that, it is incredibly inefficient use of teachers. Think about it, too...if ten kids are in those classes today, how many will be in there in five years? THAT is the real problem.
|
|
primrose
|
|
|
11-15-09 7:45 AM
|
hmmm... That would be just fine totheright IF it was ONLY warren city residents that spent their money at Walmart. I can tell you that I live in the NORTH county and definitely spend tons of money at walmart, kmart, big lots...WHY shouldn't our students get to tag days outside those stores... IF you don't like it DON't contribute... BUT I tend to contribute to all the tag days that stand out there, even those from WAHS... THESE are our CHILDREN
|
|
tealdahlia
|
|
|
11-14-09 12:34 PM
|
It is interesting to note that none of these concerns posted has mentioned the students themselves. The county is too spread out geographically for consolidation to be possible. If the county was reduced to one school, I would have a 100 minute bus ride. That is ridiculous. Also, with more competition to get in athletics and other extracurricluar activities, I would probably not be able to participate. The commute alone would almost eliminate any chance of many students particpating. The classes that I am in where there are only ten to twelve of us are the classes that I learn the best in, yet the school board seems to believe that smaller classes are not conducive to learning. As a student, I am proud to claim roots to my school, and feel that this sense of identity would be lost in a larger school. The role of a school is to provide an education for the students and prepare them for independant living, and truly these purposes are best achieved through the four school system.
|
|
Malachy
|
|
|
11-13-09 10:39 PM
|
This David Bauer person won't even comment. GEEEEEEEEEEZ. Don't forget that.
|
|
writer10
|
|
|
11-13-09 6:27 PM
|
All that needs to happen is for somebody to organize the 2 schools group. I'd do it but my schedule is hectic as is.
|
|
fivealive
|
|
|
11-13-09 2:23 PM
|
How about a group called "Consolidate. Don't Wait." ? Or maybe "Progress 4 Warren County". If consolidation doesn't pass this time, we could always start a group for the next go-round called "2 Schools 2 Late".
|
|
garypayton
|
|
|
11-13-09 2:06 PM
|
The elected school board is the group that ought to be organized to do the right thing for the majority of the citizens. In this case it means consolidation. They need to take a stand, make the right decision, and PLAN FOR THE FUTURE.
|
|
fivealive
|
|
|
11-13-09 1:05 PM
|
I bet if they asked parents of SPED students, they would disagree with the assertion that their child's needs are being met. Consolidation would greatly improve the delivery of SPED services. The district could conceivably have SPED teachers based in one building, as opposed to itinerants floating around the district. Imagine just the improvement in student contact and contact with their teachers. More opportunities for tech students, more sports/extra-curricular opportunities, more AP classes and better SPED delivery. Please explain to me who is losing out in this? Seems to me that that pretty much covers the gamut of kids, providing a better situation for all.
|
|
fivealive
|
|
|
11-13-09 12:15 PM
|
I did notice Bauer was distancing himself. One month he labels himself a spokesperson, the next he says there is no such thing. Interesting. Very interesting.
|
|
brianhagberg
|
|
|
11-13-09 12:09 PM
|
I find it interesting that two weeks ago Bauer was more than happy to be a "spokesperson" for the 4 Schools group, now suddenly he doesn't want any part of it. Also, why not interview someone on both sides of the argument? Not to be insulting, but why does it matter what Ms. Reynolds' opinion is? Is she a spokesperson? Why was this article focused on her? I would like a little background as to why an entire article was devoted to her opinion and no one else. It doesn't make sense to me.
|
|
Placer44
|
|
|
11-13-09 11:29 AM
|
One county one school. Learn it, live it love it!
|
|
garypayton
|
|
|
11-13-09 11:28 AM
|
How much long to we have to listen to the vocal minority? Lander, Sugar Grove, et al has had their say. We know where they stand. Your comments and concerns are appreciated, but we must move on to what is necessary to protect the integrity of public education in the County with a shrinking and aging population and dwindling resources. The kids will be over the anxiety of consolidation in less than one school year. The adults, I fear, will poison the well for a lot longer.
|
|
fivealive
|
|
|
11-13-09 10:34 AM
|
The idea of "if it ain't broke" is equally frustrating to me. Let's play along with that idea (although I disagree entirely)...It may not be broke but why wouldn't you try to make it a lot better?? Why wouldn't you spend money on tech upgrades, new courses, etc instead of the money to maintain a building (EHS) that will be forced to close in ten to twenty years? Things are avg to mediocre right now. Not broken but just avg. Do we wait for it to break? Would that make it any easier? Why not improve it now before it is beyond repair? Maybe it is the mentality that is broken.
|
|
writer10
|
|
|
11-13-09 10:18 AM
|
The 4 schools people just don't want to lose their school. You could throw 100 positives about 2 schools and 100 negatives about 4 schools to them and they'll just keep saying nope I don't wanna lose my school. I like readers idea, but I think if they want to keep their schools than the property taxes in those areas should sky rocket to cover the cost. They are the ones who want them.
|
|
reader
|
|
|
11-13-09 9:51 AM
|
transportation is one aspect i have wondered about also, but some quick figuring showed a little longer drive for some. no need for a panic attack. another thing, since it is so hard to convince the northern folks and sheffield that consolidation is best, why not take the tax money from sheffield area and the northern area and combine that money for their school and other needs. no association with warren or youngsville at all. and let the warren and youngsville tax money be collected together and use it for their needs. see if any mind changing goes on after that. just an opinion. no need for bashing.
|
|
Publius
|
|
|
11-13-09 9:34 AM
|
Fivealive: I know it's frustrating to hear "don't confuse us with the facts." But that seems to be the common mantra here. You say 2+2=4, and they say something nebulous like, "It'll destroy our community!" It saddens me to hear that people believe that a high school is the keystone of a community. Is that all there is? Have you no churches or clubs, no businesses or gathering places? I have to believe that a community is more than just a high school, even Warren. There. There's an emotional argument.
|
|
fivealive
|
|
|
11-13-09 9:00 AM
|
I really don't understand how people cannot be swayed by this report. Maybe it's denial but DeJong covered the situation well and summarized it so everyone can understand. IMHO, the report is pretty solid and conclusive. Transportation will be a consideration but not a deal-breaker. There are some kids who may well have shorter bus rides, depending on where the attendance lines are drawn. Maybe the district will have to engage more buses. Transportation is a workable issue. Give them a chance to work it out. It is not a single issue that should decide the entire question.
|
|
Bailey
|
|
|
11-13-09 4:37 AM
|
I have to agree with not being swayed by the report. The big thing is transportation, and the costs of it. The northern attendance area is very widespread. My daughter rides the bus now for almost an hour to get to Ike because of our location. Transportation is a wildcard as it is because of the rising fuel costs, and drive time, plus the remote areas some of the students are located in. I would love to see a study done on transportation alone, to see what the projected costs will be in the future. Too bad they haven't really looked into that too much. Increasing attendance at Warren is crazy with all the congestion there now. It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt.
|