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[vinny d]

I attended the RCSD board meeting last night Concerns from me the parent: J.C. said there would be more opportunity for kids around the city to enroll in the IB program. I didn't know that there were enough spots now. Will there still be a rigorous entrance procedure as proscribed by the IB certification board or will it be watered down for 'equality?' When my kids leave grade 6, where will they be able to go and get a rigorous program in a safe environment other than SOTA? (When Wilson F becomes K-8, will there be any spots for 'outsiders?' Don't these plans fly in the face of neighborhood schools and saving $ on bussing? Will elementary kids stll have to walk the 1 1/2 miles like JC instituted last year? What is the plan for the MAP program? Teacher's concerns: The transfer deadline was last week. For all of the teachers affected by the 50% enforced relocation of staff, what is in place to protect their choice of position and seniority in June at the annual 'transfer event?' How will this help all of those Charlotte students caught in yesterday's chaos and others who leave in discordant, chaotic, neglective households with loving parents who don't have the skills, responsibility etc. to make informed choices. The kids are the victims of the 'haves and have nots' syndrome once again. Why did J.C. say last night that 'even white middle class parents send their kids to Franklin Montessori.?' Black middle class parents and Latino middle class parents are also concerned about their kids' safety. (Come to think of it, I don't know of any parent who isn't concerned!)

[Hilary]

Those are good questions. I watched several hours of the meeting last night on the computer and also wondered that about kids going to K-6 schools, if most of the high schools are going to be 9-12. (Brizard said he did not want to create middle schools.)  Allen Williams asked about that but didn't get a very good answer, I thought.  (Mary Doyle said they could go to East.)

I have to say, if you didn't know anything about what's going on in the current national reform movement -- or even if you did -- you might think the whole thing was a bit insane.  The district found out Wednesday that they have to close Marshall this year (they were planning to close it next year) or lose lots (possibly millions) of $$$?  They have five months to create these new schools that have barely been conceived of yet -- and somehow these schools are going to be better than the ones they're closing, even though they're going to have the same kids as the old ones? Well, Brizard says it can be done; I hope he's right.

I didn't hear a good answer as to why the district wants to create a charter school -- did anyone? Of course this involves bringing in another outside company.