Town Hall Meeting
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
7:00 p.m.
Pine Castle Elementary's Auditorium
What We Know….What We Would Like to Know
We know that:
• Pine Castle is an “A” school – has been for the past two years, and was consistently a “B” school prior to that since school ‘grading’ began
• Pine Castle was recognized by the FLDOE as one of the top 25 schools in Florida in its use of BEST PRACTICES (Content Enhancement, JAZZ program, INCLUSION model)
• Pine Castle’s population has changed dramatically in the past 10 years – from a mostly middle class “white” school to a diverse, both ethnically and socio-economically, multi-lingual, transitory school. During that time Pine Castle administration and staff adapted to the changes and produced the recognitions noted above.
• As the student population changed, so, too, did the parent population. The majority of our parents work out of the home, most in minimum wage paying jobs. 58% of our students qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch. Still, these parents have been involved in their children’s education (see the commendations above.)
• There is no way that Pine Castle can be considered a school that is not in Unitary Status (whatever that ends of meaning.) Our student breakdown is as follows:
- White: 203,
- Hispanic: 159,
- Black: 71,
- Asian: 20 and
- ‘Other’: 17.
• 57% of our students are of ethnicities other than Caucasian of European descent.
• It is against federally regulated mandates to categorize individuals as white, black or other. The changes have been in place since before 1985. While the Federal Court Order that is behind all of this scrambling was written in a time where it was assumed to correct to label people thusly, it is not correct now.
• Pine Castle – in the past 10 years – has also been a Red Carpet School. Our PTA is and has been active and strong, and visitors have felt welcomed to our school by PTA, staff and students alike.
• There has been an elementary school by this name, on this site, since 1877. While our building may not hold historical significance, this fact does.
• The issues that the School board are facing are real – the need to reduce potential capital outlay and bring the County into “Unitary Status.” However, the issue of closing or merging schools HAS NOT YET BEEN VOTED UPON, AND, PER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, WILL BE BROUGHT TO THE EFFECTED COMMUNITIES FOR DIALOGUE FIRST.
• Re-zoning children in the Conway area took months of haggling prior to the final decision being made. THIS IS THE SAME TYPE OF ISSUE, BUT GREATER! CLOSING NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS SHOULD BE GIVEN THE SAME CONSIDERATION AND BE A LAST RESORT.
WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW
• We have been told that this issue has not yet been voted upon, is this true?
• We have been told that and offer was made for the property the day after the Sentinel article came out. “Sources” tell us that it was NOT PCCA. Who is the other interested party and how realistic is it that the property will be sold instead of revitalized?
• How critical will community feedback be to the decision making process? Is this simply a placating move?
• WHAT IS UNITARY STATUS?
• WHY IS THE RUSH ON NOW TO ENSURE THE COUNTY IS IN COMPLIANCE?
• How can our school be considered anything BUT diverse with the population it has now?
• WILL THE BOARD CONSIDER STUDIES THAT HAVE PROVEN THAT SMALLER LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS PRODUCE GREATER GAINS?
• Is it possible to create a partnership between the government entities to generate additional funds? (City, County, School Board)
• Have we received from the Federal Government all of the funds for NCLB? If not, why aren’t we demanding that we receive it?
• Has a transportation impact study been performed?
• Has the fact that neighborhood schools that are close by are already overcrowded been taken into consideration?
- Mr. Rick Roach attended a special gathering of concerned parents, community members, and alumi of Pine Castle Elementary.
- Mr. Roach explained terminology that the School Board uses on a regular basis. As well as set the community's mind at ease that no "vote" was taken, concerning closing any schools.
- The School Board does not "vote" during work sessions and before even thinking of actually closing any schools the public would be made aware of the scheduled meeting.
- You may email Mr. Roach at , to be put on his mass email list.
More information will be posted soon.
|
