As a parent of a student at Jefferson School, I have asked questions regarding its possible closing, but not received a response. The school board’s policy manual lists in its mission statement that it will meet the goals of listening actively to all stakeholders and provide open communication to create a good working climate for good decision making.
Many of us feel that leaving out those actually affected by the closing of Jefferson was in complete contradiction with your own mission statement. Why were we left out of the process?
The manual states: The school board should function as a non-partisan, broadly representative body, and each school board member should let his consideration for the entire district take precedence over partisanship and special interest.
How was the architect selected, and does he have experience with historic preservation and/or specialize in historic school renovations? Is it true that there was no bidding for this job? If so, can we, as stakeholders in this community, review previous work? If not, has the architect consulted with historic preservation specialists? Is this the architect that did the study going to be the same one who builds the new school? What is his/their interest in the new construction?
And finally, the policy states that: The public should hold itself accountable for maintaining a vigorous interest in, concern for and constructive criticism of the schools; for electing the most able men and women available to represent them on the school board and in the state legislature and U.S. Congress; and for providing the resources necessary for the school board and district staff to accomplish the publicly endorsed goals and objectives of the school district.
How are we to do that when access to information was given only to a handpicked committee?
Please provide actual dollar amounts spent on other schools in town over the last 10 years so we can see if Jefferson has been allowed to deteriorate to facilitate the goal to close the school.
These are important questions that deserve answers, and I appreciate that, in your position as a representative of our entire community, not simply a portion of it, you will be forthright when providing the public with the requested information.
Mandy Swartzendruber
Morton
