School closing forum an impressive display
It wasn’t hard to find the supporters of Christiancy, South Monroe Townsite and Riverside elementary schools in the crowd at the school closing public hearing tonight.
They filled their own sections of the auditorium at Monroe High School, wearing their schools’ t-shirts, waving signs and cheering when speakers mentioned their schools.
It was an impressive display of caring - caring about their children, about their schools, and about their neighborhoods.
Whatever the school board decides to do - and it seems obvious they’re leaning toward closing at least a couple elmentary schools - board members won’t be lacking for input from their constitutents.
Only a few seats in the upper corners of the auditorium were empty. When school officials finished presenting the four proposals and asked for comments from the audience, two lines quickly formed, at each side of the auditorium.
It was four hours later before they called a halt. A lot was said, good arguments for all sides.
But from my seat, the most impressive statement was made by the crowd, collectively. By showing up, by listening politely and then speaking passionately and eloquently, members of the school community sent an important message - they care.
That bodes well for the school district and the students it serves, regardless of which or whether schools are closed.
February 27th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
Monroe is not the only district looking into school closures. Other districts in the county are also considering shutting down buildings, but many are not aware.
February 27th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
As a parent in Monroe, I am proud of the number of people who attended the meeting, and feel that everyone is hoping for an outcome that puts our childs educational needs first.
February 28th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
I posted a very long response on the BB but would like to add that if, what has been posted by others, that other school districts are thinking of closing buildings maybe they can learn from Monroe. (1) Don’t reveal a proposal within a month of writing it (you should, as a board, spend sometime going over it) and (2) it is not a good idea to add another proposal the day of a meeting. I am a realist and accept that buildings will have to be closed and sold. This just seems very ill though out; adding new proposals, proposals that on there face don’t make sense (can we really sell the oldest buildings?). I have a really hard time believing that the board was ready for any public hearings.