[Members of the public listen to Cathy Houck, a teachers assistant at Palm Harbor Elementary, during the hearing. James Borchuck, Times]
Updated: 4:20 p.m.
The Pinellas School Board voted moments ago to close seven schools and revoke busing privileges for thousands of students.
The decision comes after months of controversy as the school district tries to keep pace with worsening budget news out of Tallahassee. When the district first proposed closing schools in November, the projected shortfall for next year was about $40-million. The district now must make between $60-million and $80-million in spending cuts.
By a vote of 7-0, the board voted to close Gulf Beaches, Kings Highway, North Ward, Palm Harbor and Rio Vista elementaries, plus Southside and Coachman fundamental middle schools. Southside’s program will move to Madeira Beach Middle and Coachman will move to Kennedy Middle. Clearview Avenue Elementary will close as previously planned.
Supporters of Gulf Beaches, Palm Harbor and Southside asked the board for another year to figure out ways to keep their schools open. Gulf Beaches supporters suggested turning the school into a fundamental school or a charter school. Parents from Palm Harbor Elementary suggested changing their school to a fundamental program, which would eliminate busing costs there. Southside supporters suggested their small school would serve as a good pilot for the district’s school-based management initiative.
But the board opted to approve the closings as previously proposed.
“This is not a pleasant chore,” board member Mary Brown said. “But when you come on the board you don’t do nice, pleasant things all the time.”
The board also voted to revoke busing for students who next year remain enrolled in schools outside their zone. The vote affects about 17,000 students who last year elected to remain in schools they got into under the old choice plan, rather than move to their new zoned school. Previously, the board contemplated forcing all of these so-called “grandfathered” students into their zoned schools next year. But the board backed off after hundreds of parents complained. The compromise: They can stay in their existing schools, but the district won’t provide bus service.
The elementary school closings will save an estimated $4.3-million and the middle school closings about $1.9-million. Revoking bus service for grandfathered students will save about $7-million.
The district will continue to the cut the budget through the spring. Among the proposals so far: Reduce school budgets across the board, improve the bidding process to lower the cost of building and renovating schools, cut positions in the transportation department, get rid of leased portable classrooms and negotiate a better health insurance plan.
Earlier in the day, Pinellas school officials released a map that shows possible new zone boundaries for elementary schools (Download elemmap.pdf) next year. Another map showing changes to middle school (Download midskulmap.pdf) zone boundaries also is available.
Thomas C. Tobin, Times Education Reporter
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[Above photo: James Carroll speaks on behalf of Gulf Beaches Elementary to members of the school board during the public hearing. James Borchuck, Times]
Get inside the world of Florida education with St. Petersburg Times staff writer Jeffrey S. Solochek and the rest of the Times education reporting team. We'll bring you up-to-date information about the latest education trends, fads and news and dig deep into Tampa Bay area school issues.
Thank you board members for listening to us about grandfathering. You did the right thing by letting us stay.
Posted by: Susan | January 13, 2009 at 09:44 PM
Mrs. Anderson...BOTH your children will be assigned to the same school...your "zoned" school. They are putting EVERYONE back in their zoned school and you need to opt "back" to your choice school if you want grandfathering. Unfortunately, your school is being closed so you have no choice school to opt back to. So, BOTH of your children will only have the zoned from which to choose (unless you want to add your name to the 400+ waiting list for Tarpon Fundamental or drive to So. St. Pete for a magnet school). I feel for you but keeping your kids should not be a concern. It is the only option for them...together in their new zoned school. PHE got a raw deal. It was a great school. If the board had more foresight it could've been turned into a fundamental school.
Posted by: Susan | January 13, 2009 at 09:42 PM
fire Julie Jansen
Posted by: | January 13, 2009 at 09:22 PM
Yes, Tallahassee is a problem. So is Washington, DC. But don't take the locals off the hook. Money's being hoarded at the top. Money IS wasted in PCS. The state just identified eight counties with serious budget issues. We weren't one of them. Maybe we should be, but...first things first.
The budget must be scrutinized.
Posted by: Another Thought | January 13, 2009 at 09:18 PM
Yeah because Republicans are so public education.
Posted by: | January 13, 2009 at 09:11 PM
I DO AGREE 8:5911 However,I have yet to see any action from Janssen and the board members to try try and fight for our district--in any way!!!They are just rolling over and playing dead.
Hey GOV-you hail from St.Pete-how do YOU like what YOU are doing to your home county??!!
Posted by: justathought | January 13, 2009 at 09:05 PM
Superintendent Julie Janssen isn't the problem people. Your going after the messenger. The problem is in Tallahassee and the cuts that keep coming year after year. At todays board meeting they were already discussing the possibility of 70 million in cuts next year. That is unacceptable and outrageous! They can't cut enough positions to cover that after all the cuts in previous years. It will mean more school closing and programs cut. The time to take action is now-let Tallahassee know we will no longer allow cuts to our education systems.
Posted by: Todd | January 13, 2009 at 08:59 PM
ooops.
Posted by: justathought | January 13, 2009 at 08:58 PM
sorry, I sent before I was finished. After learning horrible news this evening, I would rather drive my child from Largo to tarpon than dispute the board. Bottom line, my child would be attendinding school . My thoughts and prayers are with Zack's family
OMS Parent
Posted by: OMS | January 13, 2009 at 08:55 PM
Tonight I attended the Southside SAC meeting, fulfilling my monthly meeting requirement, and I must tell how very disconcerting it was to hear a strong administrator and wonderful principal speak of having to now take a step down and return to the classroom as a teacher, and to the sporting arena as a coach:this is what the school board is actually doing--making a shambles of the lives of educators,support staff,as well as the children and their families.What is going to happen to the guidance councilors, the librarians, the other support staff at the schools that are closing?They are GUARANTEED a job (I assume at equal pay?) But not the job they have spent their lives doing and loving.No one has considered them in all these posts.What is happening goes way beyond moving kids around,etc.Live's of long-time Pinellas County employees are going to be totally disrupted.And this is only the beginning:I'll just bet there is already a nice long list of school being closed NEXT year!!In choosing what school my child will attend next year- I will make a decision that will best suit her educational course and future. I,like most fundamental families,am luckier than most,as the fundamental parents can choose from 3 schools-Mad beach,Thurgood Marshall, or our zoned school.My child WILL adjust-my child is a CHILD:but not so her wonderful SS staff-family .Everyone in Pinellas County needs to stop and put themselves in the shoes of all the staff members of the schools that are closing and ask yourself-WHAT WOULD I FEEL, WHAT WOULD I DO??Tonight I attended the Southside SAC meeting, fulfilling my monthly meeting requirement, and I must tell how very disconcerting it was to hear a strong administrator and wonderful principal speak of having to now take a step down and return to the classroom as a teacher, and to the sporting arena as a coach:this is what the school board is actually doing--making a shambles of the lives of educators,support staff,as well as the children and their families.What is going to happen to the guidance councilors, the librarians, the other support staff at the schools that are closing?They are GUARANTEED a job (I assume at equal pay?) But not the job they have spent their lives doing and loving.No one has considered them in all these posts.What is happening goes way beyond moving kids around,etc.Live's of long-time Pinellas County employees are going to be totally disrupted.And this is only the beginning:I'll just bet there is already a nice long list of school being closed NEXT year!!In choosing what school my child will attend next year- I will make a decision that will best suit her educational course and future. I,like most fundamental families,am luckier than most,as the fundamental parents can choose from 3 schools-Mad beach,Thurgood Marshall, or our zoned school.My child WILL adjust-my child is a CHILD:but not so her wonderful SS staff-family .Everyone in Pinellas County needs to stop and put themselves in the shoes of all the staff members of the schools that are closing and ask yourself-WHAT WOULD I FEEL, WHAT WOULD I DO??Tonight I attended the Southside SAC meeting, fulfilling my monthly meeting requirement, and I must tell how very disconcerting it was to hear a strong administrator and wonderful principal speak of having to now take a step down and return to the classroom as a teacher, and to the sporting arena as a coach:this is what the school board is actually doing--making a shambles of the lives of educators,support staff,as well as the children and their families.What is going to happen to the guidance councilors, the librarians, the other support staff at the schools that are closing?They are GUARANTEED a job (I assume at equal pay?) But not the job they have spent their lives doing and loving.No one has considered them in all these posts.What is happening goes way beyond moving kids around,etc.Live's of long-time Pinellas County employees are going to be totally disrupted.And this is only the beginning:I'll just bet there is already a nice long list of school being closed NEXT year!!In choosing what school my child will attend next year- I will make a decision that will best suit her educational course and future. I,like most fundamental families,am luckier than most,as the fundamental parents can choose from 3 schools-Mad beach,Thurgood Marshall, or our zoned school.My child WILL adjust-my child is a CHILD:but not so her wonderful SS staff-family .Everyone in Pinellas County needs to stop and put themselves in the shoes of all the staff members of the schools that are closing and ask yourself-WHAT WOULD I FEEL, WHAT WOULD I DO?? The fact that any run of the mill citizen can get elected to a seat;make huge life changing decisions for so many PC families and staff,and forever change the educational landscape simply be sitting in a CHAIR makes me want to throw up! Where are THEIR life-long educational credentials?? I am heartsick and disgusted and hang my head in shame that I live in such a short sighted community.
Posted by: justathought | January 13, 2009 at 08:52 PM
Listen people, is this the wake up call you need to finally contact your government representatives. There is already talk of more schools to close next year. If you don't want little Johnny to have to be moved yet again you need to write/call your representatives and let them know this is not acceptable. No more cuts to our school. Raise taxes, create fees just do whatever it takes to stop the destruction of our school system. If you don't do something now it'g going to be worse next year.
Posted by: Lisa | January 13, 2009 at 08:50 PM
As you people are passionatly debating where your children will be attending school next year, please keep in mind that the OMS family just lost a wonderful 7th grade student to unknown causes. I would like to think that we could put our pride, jobs, and convienence aside. I am quite certain that these poor parents would like to participate, but, unfortunatly they can not do that. RIP Zack
Posted by: OMS | January 13, 2009 at 08:48 PM
How's that $240 working out for y'all?
Hahahahahahahaaaaaa... whoooooo, you pinheads are a freaking hoot... Hahahahahahahaaaa... screw the kids, give me $240... Hahahahahahaaa...
There's a reason we call y'ns Floriduuuuh!
Posted by: | January 13, 2009 at 08:23 PM
To all:
For those of you that talked to the board members about NOT closing the schools, you wasted your time. The decision was already made long ago. Talk to any "low man" on the ladder, they could have told you that, before the holidays.
Suggestions: Vote out the now sitting school board, petition for the super to be removed.
Email, fax, call, complain, picketed constantly. Did anyone really READ the St. Petersburg Times article, about the Pinellas County School Budget? Look how top heavy it is!
Did you read TODAY's article. The super has said if they go back to 6 periods, teachers will lose their jobs.
In other words, the "super" says, its' my way, or the highway!
Have you noticed something? The teachers, assistants, bus drivers, clerks, food personnel, janitors, are the ones who are being targeted to be cut. ALL of them interact with the students. Excluding the teachers, if you were to average out the pay of the other positions, they would be just about poverty, alot would be allowed to get food stamps.
The BIG WIGS on the other hand, have NOT touched "their salaries".
There is alot of "fluff" at the top.
In this organization, you have alot of chiefs, and just a few indians, and the indians are being headed to the slaughter, and this time, the BIG WIGS include your children.
Instead of closing the schools, and cutting the "low man", start at the top. How about the "super" and the members of the school board, cutting out "their fluff" and taking a pay cut?
A big one.
"The super" makes more than the current and incoming "Secretary of State" for pete sake.
Folks, start complaining in earnest.
The "super" needs to clean house, tell her to start in "her own" back yard and work down.
Yes, there would still be budget cuts, but NOTHING like they are telling you.
Posted by: Zilla | January 13, 2009 at 08:20 PM
Note also that the fundamental schools put little financial demands on the system. Southside is the worst looking school I have ever seen yet the parents and kids want it open. Fundamental schools demand one thing that seems to be in short supply in today's educational environment: effort and a huge value on education.
Posted by: todd mccallister | January 13, 2009 at 08:20 PM
Remember, the issue of race is always lurking in the background here. Since the excess demand for fundamental schools is huge (1 in 9 white kids get in), the board could convert many more schools to fundamental and save money-since there is no busing they cost considerably less to run. But remember, these new schools would be racially imbalanced as there are hardly any black parents who embrace the traditional values these schools demand. Until recently, the NAACP had a consent decree with the Board on magnets and fundamental schools. Look, the liberals on the Board put social engineering first and education second. They put up with the fundamental schools to bribe the middle class into the system.
Posted by: todd mccallister | January 13, 2009 at 08:15 PM
To Mad Beach Mom at 7:33:
You are correct. The closings, mergers and actions on busing/grandfathering total about $13-million in savings. The district may need to cut as much as $80-million for 2009-10.
Posted by: Tom Tobin, St. Petersburg Times | January 13, 2009 at 08:12 PM
Chuck-we aren't commenting on the salary article. You are in the wrong blog. People are talking about voting for school board members. Everyone knows the public doesn't vote for the superintendent or county employees.
Posted by: | January 13, 2009 at 08:06 PM
Class size amendment is in our constitution. It must be funded sufficiently by the state. Go after the state. It is law.
Posted by: go after the state | January 13, 2009 at 08:06 PM
6:58- You are very rude.
Posted by: | January 13, 2009 at 07:55 PM
In tough economic times reality tends to mirror our collective values. While we may spend a large portion of the state budget on education, Florida voters have time and again chosen to save a few bucks on their property taxes without considering the devastating effects on their local school districts. This current (and future) economic "inconvenience" simply highlights what Floridians have been saying for years through their voting behavior (or lack thereof); children (education) are not seen as economically viable. The success of our educational system directly correlates to the health of our society. It is interesting how few people consider the importance of investing in our schools and our children until it personally affects them. The scary thing though is that there are even more people, those that do not yet have children and those that have grown children, who will not "feel" the direct impact of the educational current crisis. Who is going to remind them to invest in our children?
Posted by: It's the economy...Stupid! | January 13, 2009 at 07:46 PM
Tom T: if I am understanding correctly, these closings and mergers are really just the beginning of the cuts, correct? Yes, these changes will help, but there are still MILLIONS of dollars left to cut..and possibly more even then expected after regular session..in the coming months/years...so salaries and all the other things suggested will still possibly/likely come also...this is just the start of the cuts...is that correct? they are the first but NOT the only changes we will see....
Posted by: Mad Beach Mom | January 13, 2009 at 07:33 PM
Depending on how the "merger" works, Coachman kids will be lucky, yes LUCKY, to get Kennedy staff. Meanwhile Kennedy's kids get kicked to the curb.
Posted by: Annie | January 13, 2009 at 07:30 PM
Do the citizens a favor and delete every post except for tgirl's. She got it right and parents need to read it over and over again.
Posted by: Dan | January 13, 2009 at 07:29 PM
This feels like the Wall Street deception. The School Board should have set the example in these hard times and cut their padded salaries and those of administrative fat pigs by 10-20%.
This would have shown where their hearts are, obviously not the children- but their pockets.
Posted by: sandra rivera | January 13, 2009 at 07:23 PM
You all need to calm down and take a deep breath. Madiera Beach's name and Kennedy's name will probably NOT change, just have 'fundamental' added. All four fundamental middle schools have transition teams meeting frequently each month, they are the ones you need to address your concerns to. I bet ya that 100% of Maderia Beach and Kennedy will have portables to place every child that wants to stay within the fundamental system along with children who want to go into the system. They can't be turned away. Just wait and see by May. Will be interesting but it always works out. Again breath in and out real deep and it will get better.
Posted by: John | January 13, 2009 at 07:23 PM
The Coachman/Kennedy merger will be hilarious. They should allow a reality show crew access on the first days of school. The fundamentalists kids will all get the sh*t kicked out of them. This will be the catalyst for the helicopter parents of these children to demand the administration to get rid of the "bad elements" in the school.
Posted by: | January 13, 2009 at 07:20 PM
It really is a shame the adults in the system do not have the personal fortitude, cognitive ability and leadership skills to provide the world class education our students deserve.
Spot on! They usually wait for thinkers like yourself to put the ideas on the table and then act like children. (The child always acts like they never heard anything for the first time.)
Posted by: David | January 13, 2009 at 07:15 PM
Kenneth,
Get back in there, the meetings about to restart and Mary needs her tea!
Posted by: | January 13, 2009 at 07:08 PM
Anyone ready to raise taxes yet?Anyone ready to raise taxes yet?Anyone ready to raise taxes yet?Anyone ready to raise taxes yet?Anyone ready to raise taxes yet?Anyone ready to raise taxes yet?Anyone ready to raise taxes yet?Anyone ready to raise taxes yet?Anyone ready to raise taxes yet?Anyone ready to raise taxes yet?Anyone ready to raise taxes yet?Anyone ready to raise taxes yet?Anyone ready to raise taxes yet?Anyone ready to raise taxes yet?Anyone ready to raise taxes yet?Anyone ready to raise taxes yet?Anyone ready to raise taxes yet?Anyone ready to raise taxes yet?Anyone ready to raise taxes yet? No.. then be quiet..
Posted by: Anyone ready to raise taxes yet? | January 13, 2009 at 07:08 PM
Thank you PCSB for curing my occasional homesickness after leaving Fla.
I had almost forgotten about your incompetence.
I do miss the fishing though.
Posted by: NotInFlorida | January 13, 2009 at 07:05 PM
I give the school board credit - they made an unpopular decision because it was something that had to be done. Would you people have them spend the county into unrecoverable debt? I feel very bad for the students and families impacted by this, but it seems that it was a necessary evil.
Posted by: Kenneth | January 13, 2009 at 07:02 PM
Yep. The way the FL constitution can be amended by those who scream the loudest is one of the state's major problems. When you self-righteous dolts voted in the class-size ammendment, you doomed the school system from being able to effeciently operate. Then you topped it off with Ammendment 1. Choice is another issue, but similar...self-righteous dolts pushed it through.
I didn't realize it was racist to call out an "elitist" group "overrunning" your school. Southside in this context doesn't refer to the southside of St. Pete (that would probably be a racist statement), but to the Southside School parents that happen to care about and actually participate in their kids' education. Mad Beach will be overrun, because the Southside parents will participate. Count on that. You can move them to Fort Meyers, and fundamental parents WILL participate. That's the point. Parents are partners with the school.
To the teachers that stay at Mad Beach and Kennedy, you had better be ready to enforce fundamental rules or you WILL be run out of the program and back to mainstream schools. Ask any recently moved and or laid off Osceola teachers. When parents actually participate, schools tend to do what the parents want...i.e. educate the kids, not babysit for you while you do whatever it is you do.
Three more years and my last child will graduate. I have actually been overall satisfied with the schools our kids have attended. The Board and Taj Aministration has made me mad on numerous occasions, however.
Hey, it's all George Bush's fault. In 7 days it will all be utopia...whoo hooo...Dolts!!!
Posted by: | January 13, 2009 at 06:58 PM
Where there any cuts in the transfer-funding going to private schools?
Posted by: | January 13, 2009 at 06:47 PM
FYI Tank. Southside Fundamental happens to be one of the best - if not the best - schools in the district. Look it up. Parental involvement is a cornerstone of the fundamental concept, and is required. You should pray that the parents get as involved at Mad beach as they are now. I don't doubt that Mad beach is already a good school, but don't go "running your keyboard" about how Soutside parents will ruin it. And what in the world are your "burdened society" and "private school" comments about? Were you aware that fundamental schools are the only schools with no buses? You sir, are an idiot. I hope you didn't have kids, mankind is better off with a few less of your genes messing up the pool.
Posted by: soutside parent | January 13, 2009 at 06:46 PM
WECLOME TO THE REAL WORLD, LADIES!
Maybe next election cycle you should take in a forum of two, or do a little research on your own, so you can see the kind of morons you’re election into office!
Instead of picking that one because “she’s cuuute, and wears pretty blouses”, or that one because, “he sent me colorful mailers with nifty words”, or the other one because the St. Pete Times say’s “he’s the bestest!”… try educating yourself about the criminals you’re putting in charge of your life!
You want to blame someone; take a good long look in the freaking mirror!
Posted by: | January 13, 2009 at 06:45 PM
Tank - I didn't realize that people living in Old NE are exempt from paying property taxes. They too are paying taxes to provide a quality education for their children. You try to make this issue a "class" issue and it isn't. Everyone who is lucky enough to get into the fundamental program (chosen by lottery not zip code) understand the gift they've been given. I challenge you to find a better blended middle school in all of Pinellas County.
Posted by: JL | January 13, 2009 at 06:45 PM
according to the times, pinellas county schools is one of the most top heavy districts in the state.
did the school board eliminate any administration positions?
Posted by: Fire Julie jansen | January 13, 2009 at 06:43 PM
Once again the Pinellas County School Board did a disservice to the residents of the Gandy area in St. Petersburg (north of Gandy Blvd. and east of Interstate 275) as far as middle school is concerned. At least this same area will continue to have Sawgrass Lake Elementary School as the close-to-home school (which is now called a zoned school) as far as elementary school is concerned.
For those in the Gandy area of St. Petersburg who think that close to home middle school is Meadowlawn Middle School, you are wrong: Your children will be bused to the center of the county at Fitzgerald Middle School, located next to Pinellas Park High School in Largo! Your children will have to endure a long bus ride through heavy rush hour traffic which will leave less time for after school activities.
Moreover, having Fitzgerald Middle and Pinellas Park High as the assigned middle and high schools for the Gandy area of St. Petersburg is a violation of the Pinellas County School District's Guiding Principles from the start when the boundary lines were drawn a year or so ago in an attempt to save money on bus transportation costs. Instead of bus transportation from the Gandy area to the most logical close to home schools, Meadowlawn Middle and Northeast High, our children have to be transported a great distance to schools located farther away which realizes little or no cost savings to the district.
If the Pinellas County School District wants to save money on bus transportation costs, it should reconsider drawing the boundary line for both middle and high schools north of Gandy Blvd. at Interstate 275. Those living north of Gandy Blvd. and east of Interstate 275 should be allowed to go to their more logical close to home middle and high schools, Meadowlawn Middle and Northeast High. On the other hand, those living north of Gandy Blvd. and west of Interstate 275 - including Feather Sound and Carillon - should be the ones attending Fitzgerald Middle and Pinellas Park High.
Posted by: | January 13, 2009 at 06:40 PM
Good point, Bill. The zones do not make sense. They should be by distance from house to school.
Posted by: Bill's Right | January 13, 2009 at 06:39 PM
Once again the Pinellas County School Board did a disservice to the residents of the Gandy area in St. Petersburg (north of Gandy Blvd. and east of Interstate 275) as far as middle school is concerned. At least this same area will continue to have Sawgrass Lake Elementary School as the close-to-home school (which is now called a zoned school) as far as elementary school is concerned.
For those in the Gandy area of St. Petersburg who think that close to home middle school is Meadowlawn Middle School, you are wrong: Your children will be bused to the center of the county at Fitzgerald Middle School, located next to Pinellas Park High School in Largo! Your children will have to endure a long bus ride through heavy rush hour traffic which will leave less time for after school activities.
Moreover, having Fitzgerald Middle and Pinellas Park High as the assigned middle and high schools for the Gandy area of St. Petersburg is a violation of the Pinellas County School District's Guiding Principles from the start when the boundary lines were drawn a year or so ago in an attempt to save money on bus transportation costs. Instead of bus transportation from the Gandy area to the most logical close to home schools, Meadowlawn Middle and Northeast High, our children have to be transported a great distance to schools located farther away which realizes little or no cost savings to the district.
If the Pinellas County School District wants to save money on bus transportation costs, it should reconsider drawing the boundary line for both middle and high schools north of Gandy Blvd. at Interstate 275. Those living north of Gandy Blvd. and east of Interstate 275 should be allowed to go to their more logical close to home middle and high schools, Meadowlawn Middle and Northeast High. On the other hand, those living north of Gandy Blvd. and west of Interstate 275 - including Feather Sound and Carillon - should be the ones attending Fitzgerald Middle and Pinellas Park High.
Posted by: Edward Ringwald | January 13, 2009 at 06:38 PM
tgirl: I totally agree with your entire post!
If parents act correctly regarding this change, the children will follow suit...
Mrs Anderson..I also have a child that will be in 5th next year and one that will be entering kindergarten. I figure they will really only have the one year together anyway in the same school before the eldest is in middle school...so although it would certainly be convenient for them both to be in the same school for the one year, it is not particularly life changing..also, perhaps your eldest child might want to now attend his zoned school...maybe we will see many more children that want to switch to their zoned school and make new friends with the neighborhood kids...that is one thing that has always felt weird to me in Pinellas..that kids in the same neighborhood did not attend school together....
Posted by: Mad Beach Mom | January 13, 2009 at 06:38 PM
so, when they close down a school that was paid and supplemented by tax dollars - do we get a refund?
Sincerely,
Obvious Question
Posted by: Curious | January 13, 2009 at 06:37 PM
Right on, tgirl!
Posted by: tboy | January 13, 2009 at 06:36 PM
Mrs. Anderson,
Please, get over yourself. Your precious angels will live.
Posted by: | January 13, 2009 at 06:29 PM
Can someone explain why they have set up school zones that will REQUIRE the schools to bus children who live within walking distance of a school. My family lives exactly one mile from Dunedin Elementary, yet they have zoned my neighborhood for McMullen Booth Elementary, which is three miles away. If we are trying to save transportation dollars, why bus ANY child who lives less than two miles from a school?
Posted by: Bill | January 13, 2009 at 06:28 PM
Take a deep breath, folks . . . Now be thankful that your child is switching schools, not being denied a right to a free, public education.
Change happens. Parents, your kids will handle it well if you handle it well.
I was an elementary student when my district re-zoned. It was not a big deal. I was no more disrupted than I was getting a new teacher the next year. I'm 32 years old and I can't say it affected me.
Sometimes, things happen that we don't like. Instead of being so upset with the school board, maybe it will help to channel that energy into getting more involved with your kids' new school and making sure it's the kind of place you want it to be. And teaching your kid how to deal with change, which he/she will need to know to succeed in life.
I promise the world isn't ending. It just feels that way briefly.
Posted by: tgirl | January 13, 2009 at 06:26 PM
Don't blame the school board, blame those that voted for amendment 1.
Posted by: | January 13, 2009 at 06:20 PM
Next election cycle Linda Lerner & Mary Brown should be replaced with competent Democrats.
Posted by: | January 13, 2009 at 06:15 PM
You people have no idea what kind of Fiasco you just created! Moving the Elementary kids back to ZONE Schools and making the Choice students re-apply for the school they are currently in. You are not going who goes where in the End or the Beginning.
Posted by: PHE | January 13, 2009 at 06:14 PM