I had a chance to speak with a Wood Creek parent today, who had much to share about the issue that brought parents to last Tuesday’s Farmington School Board meeting. The most important thing I took away from the conversation was that this issue is at the top of a fairly large iceberg. But rather than looking back, a team of parents, teachers and administrators has been convened to figure out how to move forward.
I also learned the multi-generational classroom was not being closed because of declining enrollment. Parents were given a number of reasons, that included concerns about the multi-generational classroom “community” and the lack of collaboration with other teachers. Both of those concerns probably could have been addressed. But after an orientation meeting about the program, twice as many parents showed interest as had last year. It wasn’t possible to accommodate all those families.
No matter what lies at the root of this problem, it appears the district is trying to find it. This parent mentioned that some members of the school board have been very open to hearing and addressing their concerns.
Whatever happens at Wood Creek, bigger and tougher challenges are coming. This year’s budget projections showed multi-million dollar budget deficits and what appears to be a trend toward declining enrollments. After 2011, there will be no fund balance to draw down.
Redistricting and school closings seem inevitable. And if you think a multi-generational classroom program drew a big crowd, wait until you see what happens then.
–Joni Hubred-Golden
Publisher, The Enterprise
