Tuesday, December 07, 1999
School redistricting draws flak
Parents, activists feel left out
BY EARNEST WINSTON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Parents and community advocates complained Monday that they were not involved in drawing Cincinnati Public Schools' redistricting plans.
About 20 people spoke at a public hearing at Porter Elementary in the West End.
The hearing was called for people to learn more and speak out about the recom mendations for the final phase of a redistricting plan that began in 1994.
The plan will complete the district's shift from elementary and middle schools to K-8 schools, which would take effect in 2000-01.
Fifteen schools and about 7,000 students would be affected.
The plan would close one school, consolidate two others and eliminate a magnet program.
Donna Campbell of West End was among those who said they don't like the provision that calls for the consolidation of Porter Middle and Hays Elementary into one K-8 school and the closure of Washburn Elementary. Washburn students would be sent to Heberle and Porter-Hays.
Administrators have rec ommended that Washburn be closed because of its proximity to Heberle and Porter-Hays, as well as its dilapidated condition.
“No one has talked to us about what we want. Nobody has told us anything,” said Ms. Campbell, whose two daughters attend Hays Elementary.
School officials, including Superintendent Steven Adamowski, said shuffling academic programs and enrollment at CPS schools has been in the works for at least four years.
Board member Sally Warner said one of the themes she heard at Monday night's hearing was a lack of trust toward school administrators.
“We always want to have more communication and dialogue,” she said after the meeting, responding to comments by parents that they had no say in the proposed redistricting.
“We do have to build trust with them.”
Dr. Adamowski told the crowd of about 50 that there are not enough students in the West End to support three schools.
The recommendation to close Washburn, he said, was based on its small size and the building's condition.
Carol Brown, who works in the West End, said the plan affecting West End schools hasn't been thought out and has created a crisis situation.
“This is not acceptable at all,” Mrs. Brown said.
She was among those who questioned whether putting younger students in the same building with seventh- and eighth-graders was wise.
“I think we cannot operate this way. It's just wrong,” said Sister Monica McGloin of the Over-the-Rhine Community Council.
She said the changes would disrupt the stability in the lives of many students.
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