The decision has been made by District 150 to close Irving School, located at 519 N.E. Glendale Avenue and Kingman Primary School, which is located at 3129 N.E. Madison Avenue. Both schools will close before the start of 2009-2010 school year.
As a result of the closings 660 students are currently in limbo as to where they will go to school next year (hold off on buying those special color coded school uniforms everybody).
It is estimated that closing the two schools will save the District $1.2 million. The recommendation for the closure will be made at Monday’s School Board meeting. The board members will vote on the closings at the April 20 meeting at the latest.
In January, District Administration offered a list of considerations to address the current and long-term budget issues:
Timeline:
February 10 – Announced members of a temporary community Budget and Planning Committee. The group is charged with reviewing district finances and assisting the Board and Administration with budgeting issues.
February / March – Administration continues to look at cost reduction ideas. Superintendent Hinton will establish a district-wide expenditure reduction team consisting of union leaders, principals and other staff.
March / April – Through March and April, a decision will be made as to whether or not we will be closing one or more primary schools for the 2009-2010 school year. If recommended, Superintendent Hinton will bring it to the Board no later than the April 6 meeting; and the Board will vote no later than the April 20 meeting.
March / April - Continue discussions on closing a high school for the 2010-2011 school year. If a recommendation is brought forward, it must be made no later than the May 4 meeting and a decision must be made by the BOE no later than the May 18 meeting.
June – If a recommendation is presented and if the BOE votes to close a high school, BOE must vote on which high schools will be reconfigured and consolidated no later than June 15, 2009.
Mid-June 2009– If directed by the Board, Administration and the Board of Education will gather input and develop details for the closing and consolidation of schools. This 14- month process will include curriculum, transportation, facility, staffing and other needs.
Summer 2009 – Board of Education will consider establishing a committee to review and update the Master Facility plan. The group will gather and analyze data on the facility needs for the buildings not currently in the consolidation, closing or construction phases.
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Did I miss the part where they will decide what to do with the Irving and Kingman students? Will that be part of the June 15, 2009, high school reconfiguration meeting? So what ever shakes out with what everybody else wants will determine where these students get to go to school, I see.
There are already hints that the closing of Irving and Kingman will be used in the argument to keep Woodruff open if necessary. There is a protest planned Monday night in support of Woodruff.
When I was a teenager, I remember hearing my older, Angela Davis quoting sister talk about the disenfranchisement of the black student and communal dissociation. Kind of amazing to see it happening to another generation.
Update:
A commenter on pjstar.com states that - "Mr Hinton met with Irving staff on Tuesday & told them that they are not closing until 10-11. Not sure who the source is for this article, but unless Mr. H met with the staff again after 3:30 yesterday, it is wrong." -mommy9193-
The pjstar.com has since updated their article to confirm this commenters information that Irving Primary will not close this year. At this time, Kingman is the only primary school marked for closure. The other school closing will be announced by April 6.