After a very animated discussion and a period of confusion about what would happen if they couldn't get a majority to support any proposed plan, the Orange County Board of Education passed what the District Staff presented as a "modified" assignment plan.
The good news: Every child currently attending HES will be allowed to return next year! No HES children will be expelled!
The bad news: Twenty four children who had hoped to start Kindergarten at HES this coming July (and 7 others hoping to join the school in later grades) will be turned away; most to two schools at risk of failing AYP for the third year in a row.
Even in the shadow of this injustice, I must say that this was by far one of the most entertaining Board meeting I have attended. It was likely due to the fact that Liz Brown repeatedly vented her disdain for me and this blog during her futile attempts to kick out as many HES kids as possible.
Liz came so unglued at one point that Ted Triebel threatened to declare her "in contempt" when she accused me of "intimidating" the other Board members. She said, "the lesson is clear, if you don't like something the Board is doing, start a blog and intimidate the Board members. They are easily intimidated."
If nothing else, Liz proved yet again why she shouldn't be on the Board (as if we really needed another reason), and why the parents of Orange County are lucky that she will not be serving much longer.
Now that the short-term future of HES is clear, it is time to secure its long-term future as well. The only place that can occur is at the ballot box on May 6th. We all need to do everything we can to ensure that people who actively support HES are elected to the Board.
As of today, only three Board candidates have openly voiced their support for HES. They are incumbent Board Member Al Hartkopf, former school resource officer Jeff Michalski and former long-time County Commissioner and retired high school principal Steve Halkiotis. Only by electing these three candidates can we be sure HES will exist beyond next June.
Luckily, you don't have to wait long at all to make a difference. A fundraising gala is being held tomorrow evening to raise money for the campaigns of Al Hartkopf and Jeff Michalski. You can see the information here. Even if you haven't RSVP'd, you can still drop by to make a contribution to the candidate's campaigns.
If you can afford it, please donate money, if you can't please donate your time, and most important of all, vote for them on May 6. The future of HES depends on it.
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7 comments:
I am thrilled that all children currently at HES will be returning, but disappointed that so many of those starting kindergarten will not be able to attend. I strongly feel that this should be addressed by our Board. Year-round school should be a choice for anybody that wants to attend. As I have stated in the past, we chose HES for the schedule. It is a schedule we have found very conducive to learning and our family life, as have many others. If we want choice in the school system, that choice should be open to everybody regardless of what color their skin is or how much money their family makes. Hopefully, the newly-elected Board members will agree, and year-round school will continue to prosper and grow in Orange County.
Cheri Clark
I strongly believe that it is only due to the vocal and persistent opposition by this blog, Attention Orange, and by the families at HES that the board's earlier plan was not implemented. The victors in this struggle are the children who will not be expelled from HES. Thank you all for your efforts on behalf of these children. Moving forward, the board should put programs in place at HES that encourage low income families to apply to HES. The board should NOT discriminate against families based on their address and income. HES should be a school of choice where all children are welcome.
Alex Freemerman
Great news! I agree that there would have never been a modified plan created if it weren't for people voicing their opposition to the original plan. Thanks to all for their efforts.
HES is popular because of its high test scores & great family atmosphere. The board needs to find ways to bring other schools to the level of HES instead of trying to bring down a successful model for learning. Low-income students can learn just as well as middle-income students. It's up to the board, administrators, teachers & PARENTS to make sure all students in Orange County learn & thrive up to their potential.
I think it is appropriate to say a very big thanks and hats off to our Central Office staff who worked tirelessly over the last few weeks. Instead of only giving the BOE what they asked for, the CO ran the numbers and took the time to present the BOE with the modified plan. For this I am eternally grateful. Without this plan on the table - there would be a lot of sad families today.
Ashley Ward
Now that this issue is closed, which I am glad of, what else is there to be concerned about? You mentioned something about stopping the HES from being closed down. Please explain. I just want to know how worried or not that I should be.
In truth, while this was a huge victory for those of us who wish to stay at HES, this is the beginning of restoring the viability of our school and the year-round program in the county. If we are not adamant about electing new officials to the school board who will honor past commitments we will be in this same predicament in a year or two from now. It is important that the group of parents in Orange County that are in favor of year-round education have their voices heard.
Yes, we are a minority. I do not believe our wishes should come before all others - but I do believe we have a right to be fairly represented. So the next step in this process is to get out and vote on May 6th! Tell everyone you know that is registered in Orange County to cast their votes for the only three candidates who have publicly supported our right to choose year-round education:
Al Hartkopf
Jeff Michalski
Steve Halkiotis
And stay involved! I think we have all learned an important lesson about what can happen when we are sleeping!
"Now that this issue is closed, which I am glad of, what else is there to be concerned about?"
As long as this school board is controlled by people to appear to hate HES, HES will never be safe.
The Durham Herald got it exactly right. "If the board has changed its mind so often this year, what will the board say next year? Can we count on this latest modification being the last one we are to see?"
I'm afraid it isn't the last thing we are to see.
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