|
Consolidation meeting in Virginia gets positive reception: Questions centered on future without merger, possible curriculum improvements.
(Jacksonville Journal-Courier Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Oct. 2--VIRGINIA -- "What will happen if we don't consolidate?" and "How will merging improve our curriculum?" were the two main questions at the Committee of Ten public information meeting Wednesday night in Virginia.
The Committee of Ten, a group of representatives from Virginia, Meredosia-Chambersburg and Triopia school districts, has worked out the potential consolidation of the districts and recommends the merger. The committee is holding public informational sessions to inform voters about the proposed merger.
Chairman Mike Gadberry used a PowerPoint presentation to describe how the committee has determined the geographical borders of the proposed district; set tax rates; and determined how school board members would be elected.
But the audience of about 30 people here was more interested in the "what ifs" that Mr. Gadberry and his committee could only speculate on.
Stephanie Andrews, a parent of students in Virginia grade, middle and high school, asked the committee, "What does the state do if we hold out? If people don't vote to consolidate?"
Mr. Gadberry had two answers.
"The state says they'll divide you up," was his first response. He said in Illinois, this has actually never happened. "But before that, you'll probably go broke," was his second reply.
He elaborated, citing evidence about all three schools' declining enrollments -- a combined 330 students lost in the past 11 years -- and citing other cases when Illinois school districts had to dissolve or pay tuition for their students to go other schools, because the district could no longer pay the bills.
Another woman in the audience wanted the committee to paint a picture of what the new district could offer that would be better than what exists now.
Mr. Gadberry spoke of an expanded curriculum that combined already existing courses at each of the three schools, like industrial arts, marching band, advanced placement courses and more. He talked about the current state of curriculum at all three schools, where students can only take some classes, like physics, every other year, and explained that, at Meredosia, biology conflicts with band this school year.
"Kids shouldn't have to make a choice between marching band and a required class," he said. "When you get as small as we are, when you're down that low, you're going to have scheduling conflicts."
Although a few teachers in the audience had concerns about staffing, placement and tenure if a new district is formed, third-grade teacher at Virginia, Janet Dillow, added later that, at small schools, teachers are often called upon to sponsor clubs and serve other roles on top of their regular class loads.
She said this situation can make educating difficult and can hinder a district's ability to attract good teachers when it's time to hire.
"If you have a bigger district, you don't have to wear so many hats," she said.
Near the end of the meeting, a male voice shouted out the question, "What will it take to pass this?" The audience wanted to know what kind of support the committee had.
Mr. Gadberry couldn't say. He only had the indication from a public hearing in June to go by; 45 in favor, 9 opposed, and 50 undecided.
"We've visited PTO meetings, town meetings, village boards, the Cass County Health Department, everyone who wanted to be informed," said Committee member Amy Parlier.
Despite their efforts, committee members agreed it would be a close vote. The end of the meeting felt like a team huddle -- the audience wanting to know what the committee was going to do to win, and the committee charging the audience with the duty of helping to spread information. No one spoke directly against the merger.
A few audience members took information packets and another took one of the large "Vote Yes for Consolidation" signs provided by the committee.
Anyone interested in a "Vote Yes for Consolidation" sign can call Kerry Johnston at (217) 370-6033.
To see more of Jacksonville Journal-Courier or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.myjournalcourier.com/.
Copyright (c) 2008, Jacksonville Journal-Courier, Ill.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
|
INDUSTRIES
INDUSTRIES
Find Solutions for Enterprises, SMBs & Service Providers at the INTERNET TELEPHONY Conference and EXPO East, February 2-4, 2009. Miami, Florida.
