School Board at odds over assignment plan
By NINA BARRINGER
Article published on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007  |
LARGO – With a month to go before a final vote is scheduled to take place on a new student assignment plan, Pinellas County School Board members remain divided on key elements, including the timeline for implementation.
Now an initial vote on the 2008-09 plan is set for Nov. 13.
Discussion during Thursday’s Board workshop focused on input received through three Board/community listening sessions held Oct. 8 to 10, to address the proposed plan for next school year and beyond.
While the board’s majority supports moving forward with a modified version of the plan framework, some favor rolling out changes over as many as five years. But several members expressed concerns that, in its current iteration, the proposal is still a draft.
“I don’t even want to call this a plan. In my mind, there is not a clear plan,” said chairwoman Mary Tyus Brown, who said that parents are confused about what next year will bring, especially regarding their children’s school assignment.
“We are not legally bound to implement (the new plan) next year,” Brown added. “It’s worth it for us to take time to do it right.”
In contrast, Carol Cook said she believes the board and district are “taking what’s good about the existing (School Choice Plan) and building on it” to best serve the community’s interests.
“People are looking for answers we can’t give them until the plan is in place,” Cook said. “I’m in favor of a slower rollout, but we need to move forward.”
Board member Jane Gallucci said: “We’ve heard from the people. Now it’s time for us to decide.”
Facilitated by Charles Eubanks, the district’s director of special projects, Thursday’s workshop sought to address unresolved issues such as school closures, diversity as it relates to both school populations and programs, and how resources will be allotted equitably under the new attendance plan.
In response to the public’s ongoing concerns about grandfathering, the board said Thursday it leans toward continuing the sibling preference option that exists under the current Choice system.
Debate surrounding diversity continued Thursday, as well as the prospect of a widened achievement gap if the creation of neighborhood schools results in resegregation in some areas. One question raised is whether it will cause top-notch teachers to move.
“We could craft a plan that absolutely ensures diversity,” said Vice Chairwoman Nancy Bostock. “If we’re going to keep talking about that, are we willing to pay the cost (associated with transportation)? I really want us to get real.”
Although questions remain, a preliminary vote indicated that four of the seven board members ultimately support closing Largo Central Elementary in Largo, South Ward Elementary in Clearwater, and Clearview Avenue Elementary and Riviera Middle School in St. Petersburg.
Bostock, Cook, Gallucci and Peggy O’Shea recommended moving forward with these closures.
Gallucci said that this is not an easy decision, but said she is comfortable with the “practical reasons” for which these schools were targeted.
Brown, Janet Clark and Linda Lerner, however, said they are not yet ready to decide the fates of these schools, even informally.
“Where will the students (and staff) go?” Lerner asked, also questioning overcrowding and other problems closures might create.
Without determining direction on several outstanding issues, the board adjourned Thursday, opting to continue its discussion at a followup workshop Oct. 23.
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Article published on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007
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