Update on the School Board's Indecision
The following is a school rezoning update from Heidi Powell-Thompson.
Hello neighbors,
Well, it looks like the School Board has decided not to make a decision, at least any time soon.
Per the RTD's coverage of a recent Board meeting, rezoning for schools south of the James has been voted on and settled as expected, but the discussions and decision-making for schools north of the James has been postponed with no firm schedule set. Again per the article, discussions may begin this fall, with implementation possible beginning in 2014, but nothing definite.
What this means for our Byrd Park neighborhood is that it w
ill remain split in zoning for the foreseeable future, with half the neighborhood zoned for Clark Springs Elementary and half for Cary Elementary. Although a number of Board members and other school officials have stated support of Cary Elementary staying open, closure of that school is still on the table, and the question of where our neighborhood children will ultimately end up attending school is still wide open.
For the large number of us in this neighborhood with children either in early elementary school or who will have children starting elementary school in the next 1-4 years, we're essentially still in limbo, along with many other families across the city.
Thanks again to everyone who has helped share information about these issues!
I am very disappointed in the RPS and the school board. As a whole the, “No child left behind” idea clearly isn’t working. RPS, are at the bottom District Rank, 82/118, and bottom City rank 223/348. Student teacher ratio averages about 18:3 (variable). Increased overcrowding, and increased dropout rate. The dismal test scores are not new, infact RPS has consistently scored in the bottom or lowest district rank. So if your looking for the school board to do anything in the interest of the school, go to “school digger.com”, check RPS district rank, city rank. You’ll see why the school board acts the way they do!