Board Comments to the Parents

In the end, "the board voted 5-2 Monday to set up a three-member committee to study the merger of Central and Hillsborough elementary schools." (the News & Observer's words, not mine).

With thanks to Lori Rogers, here is a synopsis of the Board Members' comments:

Liz Brown -- In favor of committee -- wants to move forward with a study group-- Could not understand why parents would pull out of HES if merged b/c it would stay year round. Voted for the Study Group.

Susan Hallman -- In favor of study group to look at options. Believes we need to do something to help the students at CE. Voted for the Study Group.

Ted Triebel -- It would be a disservice to not look at all the options to help all the children in OCS-- The process needs to be transparent to all to see -- In favor of study group-- Also mentioned hiring an independent group to look into this. Voted for the Study Group. Assigned to lead the Study Group.

Debbie Piscitelli -- Need to look at all the options. We need to look at solutions and not force something-- Focused on the need to look at valid data to make decisions. Voted for the Study Group. Assigned to the Study Group.

Al Hartkopf -- Made a point about the data given to the school board was not valid and he requested but was not given back up and supportive data. He disputes that by getting rid of CE as a LEA will not change the performance of the children from that school. If the objective is to help the children than you need a plan to help them and not do something like a merger to simple make the testing numbers come out right. Mentioned that the No Child Left Behind pages on the Dept. of Ed. site offer many solutions and merger is the last one offered. Voted against the Study Group.

Anne Medenblik -- Concerned that the Title One status of CE going away if it merges with a high income school like HES. This will actually give less money to the schools and you will lose resource positions which will mean less money and fewer teachers for low learning students. Voted against the Study Group. Assigned to the Study Group.

Dennis Whitling -- People need to be open minded even if at first you don't like the idea-- Suggested making a three board member committee- Decisions need to be made for all students. Voted for the Study Group.